Who to Watch in the Eagles' Preseason Finale: Breakout Candidates and Roster Bubble Implications
In the NFL, the third preseason game is often the final dress rehearsal for the regular season. For the Philadelphia Eagles, their 2026 preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals was a last chance for fringe players to make a case for a roster spot. The Bengals won 30-13, but the score tells only part of the story. What mattered more were the individual performances that could determine who stays and who gets cut.
The Last Chance for Roster Spots
NFL teams must trim their rosters from 90 players to 53 by the final cutdown date. The preseason finale is the final audition for players on the bubble. Starters rarely play more than a series or two, if at all. The bulk of the snaps go to backups, rookies, and veterans fighting for a job. Every snap is evaluated, not just for statistics but for execution, effort, and situational awareness.
Carson Steele's Touchdown
One player who made his case was running back Carson Steele. He scored a 5-yard receiving touchdown from quarterback Andy Dalton. Steele is a physical runner who also contributes on special teams. A touchdown reception in the final preseason game can be the difference between making the practice squad or the active roster. Dalton, a veteran quarterback signed to be a backup, played the entire game and completed passes to multiple receivers, showing he can run the offense if needed.
Kicking Competition and Consistency
Kicker Jake Elliott had a strong night. He made field goals of 45 and 56 yards. For a kicker, preseason is about consistency and proving you can hit from distance in pressure situations. Elliott is a veteran, but every kicker needs to show they are in form. The 56-yarder in particular shows he has the leg strength for long attempts in the regular season.
Defensive Plays That Matter
On defense, the Eagles' depth players faced a Bengals offense that moved the ball effectively. Bengals linebacker Antwaun Powell-Ryland and defensive end Isaiah Fosack sacked Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee for a 9-yard loss. That play highlighted the pass rush from the Bengals' reserves, but for the Eagles, it was a reminder that their backup offensive line needs work. Bengals cornerback Tacario Davis intercepted a pass after tipping it to himself, a sharp play that shows good ball skills. For the Eagles, that interception is a mark against the quarterback who threw it, but it also shows the secondary's inability to prevent the play.
What the Score Forgets
The final score of 30-13 suggests the Eagles were outplayed, but preseason games are about evaluation, not wins. Bengals quarterback Josh Johnson threw for 156 yards in the first half, helping Cincinnati complete a perfect preseason. For Philadelphia, the game revealed which players can handle game speed and which need more development. The Eagles' coaching staff will weigh every snap when making cut decisions.
Why this matters: The preseason finale is the last data point before the 53-man roster is set. It can vault a player from the bubble onto the team or send them to waivers. For fans, knowing which players performed well—like Steele and Elliott—provides a clue about depth chart battles heading into Week 1. The game also showed areas of concern, such as the backup quarterback play and pass protection, that could affect the team's early-season strategy.