The Philadelphia Eagles are turning up the heat at running back this offseason, hosting veteran rushers Elijah Mitchell and Khalil Herbert for tryouts during the team's rookie minicamp. The two-day audition, held Friday and Saturday, gives both players a chance to prove they still have gas left in the tank.
Mitchell, 27, arrives in Philadelphia following a whirlwind of recent moves. The former sixth-round pick out of Louisiana-Lafayette burst onto the scene with the San Francisco 49ers in 2021, racking up over 1,500 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in just 28 career games. After brief stops with the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots during the 2025 season—including a futures deal with New England in February that ended in his release—Mitchell is now looking to reignite his career in the City of Brotherly Love.
Herbert brings his own pedigree to the tryout. Also a sixth-round pick in 2021, this time by the Chicago Bears, the Virginia Tech and Kansas product has been a steady presence when healthy. His 2025 campaign included practice squad stints with the Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks, and New York Jets, proving his resilience and willingness to grind. Now, he's hoping to turn that perseverance into a permanent roster spot.
For both backs, this minicamp represents more than just a workout—it's a golden opportunity to catch the eye of Eagles coaches. Philadelphia has long prided itself on fostering competition in the backfield, and adding seasoned veterans like Mitchell and Herbert could provide crucial depth as training camp approaches. With roster spots becoming increasingly scarce, every rep counts. Expect both players to leave it all on the field this weekend as they fight to extend their NFL journeys in one of the league's most demanding environments.
