Friday night’s preseason finale between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cincinnati Bengals may not have provided much in the way of high stakes, but it offered a clear glimpse into the struggles facing some of the team’s bubble players. In a 30-13 loss characterized by low scoring and limited starter action, the focus shifted toward those fighting for a place on the final 53-man roster ahead of Sunday’s deadline. While some managed to elevate their standing, others found themselves sliding down the depth chart at critical moments.
Quarterback Tanner McKee suffered perhaps the most visible setback during his outing. Tasked with proving he can serve as a reliable backup to Jalen Hurts, McKee instead struggled through a disjointed performance marked by hesitation and poor decision-making. From early forced throws that nearly resulted in turnovers to a lack of timing on simple check-downs, McKee failed to find any rhythm. By the time he finished with just 55 yards on 22 attempts along with an interception and two sacks, he had effectively handed the advantage to veteran Andy Dalton, leaving his status as the primary understudy in serious doubt.
Meanwhile, the battle for depth in the backfield remains chaotic as Dameon Pierce and Carson Steele fought for scraps behind established names like Saquon Barkley. Both men showed flashes of utility; Pierce displayed raw power with a bruising 16-yard gain, while Steele proved his versatility by hauling in eight catches for 52 yards and a touchdown. Though they likely face an uphill climb to make the active roster over incumbents like Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley, their productivity makes them strong candidates for practice squad roles.
Defensively, there were mixed results among those vying for late cuts. Smael Mondon appeared to seal his fate as a roster lock after showcasing sharp instincts against a screen pass early in the game. However, defensive back Kapena Gushiken saw his stock dip following several missed assignments and an embarrassing missed tackle on special teams. As coach decisions loom this weekend, these contrasting performances will dictate who gets another chance in Philadelphia and who sees their journey end before meaningful football even begins at the Linc.