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3 Eagles who need to step up against the Bears on Monday night
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- 3 Eagles who need to step up against the Bears on Monday night
Two high-profile teams from two of our great nation's biggest markets clash under the primetime lights on Monday Night Football . The Philadelphia Eagles have plenty of star power. The same is true of the Chicago Bears . They'll meet in Week 3's final game, as both look to notch their second win of the campaign.
A Bears loss would drop Chicago to a sub-.500 record at 1-2. The Eagles will rely heavily on Jalen Hurts , DeVonta Smith , and Saquon Barkley if injuries don't hamper Barkley's availability .
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Still, games aren't won by stars alone . Every team needs contributions from players operating just outside the spotlight, and the Eagles have a few who could be particularly important in Week 3. Here are three of the lesser-known Eagles nationally who need to step up against Chicago.
Johnny Mundt , tight end
With Dallas Goedert out and Zach Ertz coming home just 11 catches shy of the franchise record , the Eagles still have a depth issue at tight end. Philadelphia likes using multiple-tight-end formations, and someone will have to fill the less glamorous parts of that job.
Mundt has long been valued for his willingness to do the dirty work, particularly as a blocker. That's why he's here. That makes his performance against Chicago worth watching. Week 2 didn't offer his best performance. Pro Football Focus gave him a 41.6 offensive grade in Week 2 , including a 75.3 pass-blocking grade and a 43.9 run-blocking grade.
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The pass protection has been solid, but Philadelphia needs more consistency from him as a run blocker. With Goedert out, Mundt could be asked to take on a larger role. If the Eagles want to establish their running game and maintain their preferred offensive structure, he needs to make his presence felt.
Marcus Epps , safety
Marcus Epps was one of the more heavily criticized Eagles coming out of the Week 2 heart-stopper against Tennessee , and the numbers help explain why. Pro Football Focus gave him a 44.9 overall grade , the lowest among Philadelphia's players, along with a 26.3 tackling grade and grades of 46.4 against the run and 52.2 in coverage.
That isn't a death sentence after one game, but it does create an obvious opportunity against Chicago. The Eagles need cleaner play from the back end, particularly against an offense led by Ben Johnson, which can put safeties in difficult positions with formations and motion.
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Epps doesn't need to become a defensive star Monday night. He simply needs to eliminate the mistakes and provide Philadelphia with the dependable play it needs from the position.
Cam Jurgens
Philadelphia invested heavily in Jurgens with a four-year, $68 million contract extension on April 21, 2025. So far this season, the Eagles haven't gotten the return on that investment they would like.
Jurgens earned a 35.6 overall PFF grade through two games, including a 43.9 run-blocking grade and a 21.9 pass-blocking grade. He also allowed three pressures against Tennessee, including a sack, as Philadelphia continued adjusting its offensive-line configuration.
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That makes Monday night another important test. Jurgens has already been asked to move inside to left guard, and the Eagles need him to settle into that role. Chicago has enough talent up front to expose any lingering communication or protection issues, and Philadelphia can't afford for its interior offensive line to become the reason the offense stalls.
The Eagles are 2-0, but they won't stay undefeated simply because their biggest names make enough plays. Players like Mundt, Epps, and Jurgens will have to contribute more, especially as Philadelphia needs to lean on its depth. Monday night is another opportunity for those lesser-mentioned pieces to show they belong in the solution.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 3 Eagles who need to step up against the Bears on Monday night
