The Eagles took tight end Eli Stowers in the second round of the 2026 draft. Former Eagle Jordan Matthews left a play at Vanderbilt called Philly for this exact moment.
Stowers knows the route tree. That speeds up spacing and timing for an offense that prizes quick reads and clean windows.
Matthews’ mark on the board
Jordan Matthews helped install a play at Vanderbilt named Philly that he brought from his time with the Eagles. He enjoyed early success here, averaging 75 catches, 890 yards and six touchdowns over his first three seasons before switching to tight end to stretch a 10-year run. Matthews felt thrilled when Stowers was picked but waited to call so the rookie could breathe through the post-draft noise.
Scheme feel matters. A tight end who sees windows the way Matthews once did can trim negative plays and lift third-down conversion odds without fancy math.
Stowers’ fit and timing
The Eagles have long liked pass-catchers who can split out and motion without telegraphing intent. Stowers ran Philly looks at Vanderbilt. That gives him a head start on red-zone timing and play-action keys. If he locks onto quick stems, the backfield can stay vertical and avoid tip passes that stall drives.
Coaches will script Week 1 reps to exploit zone-match edges. They know tight end chemistry with the quarterback can turn small edges into gains. The front office brass likes that Stowers adds versatility without wrecking the current flow.
His release and extension flash value near the goal line. He still has to win inside leverage against long defenders to keep chains moving. Pads will tell that tale fast.
What comes next
Philadelphia Eagles coaches plan to ease Stowers into group work early. Controlled snaps should rise if preseason execution holds. Teams that slide scheme-fluent pieces into the mix often see cleaner reads by Week 8. But the board can be fickle until bodies collide.
Matthews’ path shows that a smart shift can buy years. Stowers hopes to ride that same current. The Eagles hope he turns Philly into points.
Vanderbilt coach Jordan Matthews joined the Commodores staff last season and rolled out Philly, a play he carried over from the Eagles. Stowers was chosen in the second round of the 2026 draft by the Eagles. Matthews converted to tight end late in his pro run to stretch a 10-year career after early days as a wideout.
Eagles history with tight ends who separate in space suggests this move could sharpen red-zone timing. It also hints that the offense may attack match concepts with more confidence when the schedule turns cold.
Production takes time. The Eagles know this. They have cycled through pass-catchers who soared early, then adjusted roles. Stowers offers a chance to lengthen that success loop by inserting a player fluent in their spacing language from day one.
What play did Jordan Matthews bring to Vanderbilt from the Eagles?
Matthews installed a play at Vanderbilt called Philly that he brought from his time with the Eagles. It stresses quick spacing and option routes for tight ends and receivers to simplify checks versus disguised coverages.
How did Jordan Matthews perform early in his Eagles career before switching positions?
In his first three seasons with the Eagles, Matthews averaged 75 catches, 890 yards and six touchdowns. He later moved to tight end to prolong a 10-year NFL career while keeping his route feel intact.
Why did the Eagles select Eli Stowers in the 2026 draft?
The Eagles saw Stowers as a developmental tight end fluent in concepts Matthews once ran. Picking him in the second round balances upside with cost control. If preseason timing validates his quick release and extension, his role could expand fast.
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