Philly Leader

The Eagles announced their captains for the 2024 season on Friday. The team voted to name seven players as captains who will don the "C" on their jersey each game.

For six out of the seven players selected to be captains this year, it's not the first time. For one player, it will be.

Jordan Mailata, drafted in the 7th round of the 2018 draft by the Eagles, has come a long way in his career. The 6-foot-8 tackle had never played a snap of football before entering the league as a rugby player from Australia, but now he has worked his way to be a captain of the team – one of the highest honors a player can earn.

"I mean, first off, I'm extremely honored to be a part of that creed, and I didn't expect it. Whether I've had the 'C' on my chest or not, I've always considered myself a leader, just trying to prove and follow the example that was set for me by the veterans and captains I've had in the past. So to now have the 'C' doesn't really change my mentality, you know, just going to still go about my day and about my hustle," Mailata said.

"That's something that I'm going to cherish and not take for granted because it's an incredible opportunity to lead this team and to be a captain is crazy."

Mailata will enter the season coming off of a season in which he started and played in 100 percent of the team's offensive snaps (1,147). The seventh-year tackle is excited for the season to officially get rolling and he is grateful to his teammates who have helped him earn the honor.

"Lane (Johnson), Jason Kelce, Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Jalen Hurts, guys who I've had the honor of playing with and who have been previous captains or still captains now," Mailata said. "It's a great example to have been a part of and to see them lead and how it can help move me as a leader. That's what I'm excited about, just to keep on this journey with the same guys; it's not going to change anything."

Here is the complete list of players who will serve as captains for the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles:

A.J. Brown (2nd season as captain)

Jake Elliott (3rd season)

Brandon Graham (6th season)

Jalen Hurts (4th season)

Lane Johnson (3rd season)

Jordan Mailata (1st season)

Darius Slay (3rd season)

"It's exciting to be voted on by your peers and your coaches, and just knowing that I have their trust in me," said kicker Jake Elliott about receiving the honor. "It's a role that I've had before and I'm happy to continue it, and hopefully we have another great special teams unit."

"I'm just kind of looking forward to getting this thing rolling again; honestly just being in the locker room with these guys. We got a great group—a lot of good guys coming back—and a couple new faces; a lot of young guys—so it's a great opportunity for me and other guys to kind of lead them and show them how we do things around here."

Being named captain is a high honor, especially as they're selected by their own teammates.

"Oh man, it feels great. I'm blessed. I'm thankful for these guys for voting for me," Slay said. "It's always exciting to be recognized as that leader by my team; I appreciate each one of them. All I do is try hard and be an example."

While being named captain shows significant accomplishment in one's NFL career, there remains room for improvement.

"It means a lot just my teammates vote me and trust me—to lead them," Brown said. "My reaction was really just continuing work on myself—to be best leader I can."

While accolades are nice, this team knows there is more ahead with one goal at end:

"Just continue leading—try being great—leading us wins victories—hopefully ring—that's main thing," Slay concluded.

– Written by Liam Wichser

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