Sean Mannion plans to blend under-center offense with Eagles RPOs

Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion has stated that the team's increased use of under-center formations does not signal an abandonment of the run-pass option (RPO) concepts that have been integral to Jalen Hurts' career. Mannion believes both approaches can coexist, with their implementation dictated by various factors, including matchups, game situations, and the defensive strategies of the opposing team.

During the opening week of training camp, the Philadelphia Eagles showcased several under-center play-action plays. Implementing these under-center formations can provide Saquon Barkley with varied rushing angles and grant Hurts additional opportunities to exploit defenses through play-action. Moreover, an under-center approach can make the Eagles' intentions less transparent, enabling them to run the ball, use conventional play-action, or generate movement on passes from similar formations. This forces linebackers and safeties to process more information after the snap.

Hurts has historically excelled from the shotgun, where his ability to read defenders supports Philadelphia's zone-read and RPO packages. Mannion does not consider incorporating under-center concepts as a binary decision. Instead, the Eagles aim to maintain a diverse arsenal of approaches to effectively counter each opponent. Some defenses may prove susceptible to play-action from under center, while others may struggle to account for Hurts as an additional runner from shotgun formations.

The challenge for Mannion lies in seamlessly integrating these concepts without rendering the offense disjointed. He envisions the Eagles as capable of swiftly shifting between under-center play action, RPOs, and zone-read concepts based on the specific situation. The overarching goal for the Eagles is to have the appropriate response at their disposal when defenses compel them to make a choice.