Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the Eagles are expected to rest key starters in Week 18 vs. the Commanders
#Eagles are expected to rest QB Jalen Hurts and most starters in the season finale vs. the Commanders, sources told The Inquirer.
Shouldn’t come as a surprise based on HC Nick Sirianni’s comments when asked about the benefit of having a “bye” week heading into the playoffs.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) December 31, 2025
The Eagles, and most importantly, head coach Nick Sirianni, have a decision to make over the next 48 hours or so. Philadelphia is 11-5 on the season, NFC East champs, and depending on what happens this weekend, the Eagles will host a playoff game during Wild Card Weekend against either the Packers, Rams, 49ers, or the Seahawks. We know the Birds can’t fall below the third seed, depending on what happens in Week 18. Asked about his team playing to secure the No. 2 seed, while putting players at risk of injury, the Eagles coach was noncommittal and hadn’t decided on what route the defending Super Bowl champions would take.
On Wednesday morning, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Philadelphia will rest quarterback Jalen Hurts and key starters on both sides of the football.
Earlier this week, Zach Berman of The Athletic highlighted Sirianni’s thought process on that extra week of rest and the advantage it presents to guys like Lane Johnson, Jalen Carter, Nakobe Dean, and others.
Sirianni didn’t say it, but from conversations about this topic last year, I can say it wasn’t lost on the Eagles that they tried playing to improve their seed (with the need for help) in 2023 and they lost A.J. Brown to an injury in Week 18. https://t.co/bXYoOMIH1J
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) December 29, 2025
If the Eagles are the three seed, they will play the six seed. If they earn the two seed, they’ll play the seven seed. If the season ended today, Philadelphia (3) would host the Los Angeles Rams (6) in a rematch of a 33-26 win over Sean McVay’s team in Week 3. The Bears (2) would host the Packers (7), and the Panthers (4) would host the 49ers (5).
For the Eagles to get the No. 2 seed, they’d have to win at home vs. Washington (4-12) on Jan. 4 − and the Bears (11-5) would have to lose their final game vs. Detroit (8-8).
On Wednesday morning, we predicted who would start or sit, and projected 20+ key players on both sides of the ball to rest, or get a much-needed Week 18 bye before hosting a wild-card game. Philadelphia will face a Washington team that is expected to start third-string quarterback Josh Johnson, with Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota both out.