Tonight’s Eagles Jets preseason finale promises more questions than a pop quiz in a hunting lodge. The score is secondary; the real event is the audition of players who want real jobs, or at least practice squad housing. Coaches are already filing pretend contracts with coffee cups.

The broadcast desk treats the event like a Broadway tryout, complete with dramatic pauses before every snap. If nothing else, it will provide data for the scouting database and a volley of hot takes for brunch.

Here are the 10 players to watch, a carnival of hopefuls designed to keep preseason feeling relevant. Each name is introduced with the gravitas of a season finale, which is fitting since the action feels like a cliffhanger played out on a couch.

First up, the quarterback behind the depth chart who will probably be the hero until the next drive, when the script abruptly changes. Expect bold improvisation and occasional reminders that this is still preseason and not a mortgage commercial.

A rookie wide receiver has dazzled in practice and now faces the stage of live bullets and live microphones. He will likely catch an awkward ball between two defenders and pretend it was a laser pass from the heavens.

A veteran corner tries to reclaim swagger after a long off-season, with the confidence of a man who knows the sun rises on Sundays for the schedule. He will probably cover a wheel route with the focus of a cat chasing a laser.

A third down back who could earn a paycheck with a single decisive burst past a pile of exhausted linebackers. He may also become the sideline’s unofficial snack vendor if the coaching staff runs out of pep talks.

Linebacker prospect enters the frame with grit and crossword-solving calm, able to read plays while muttering harmless bravado, and he even ponders options like the ‘best running shoes 2024’ for postgame speed.

Another cornerback with speed to spare will chase routes like a dog chasing a tail, then learn to savor the moment when the whistle saves him from a second misstep. He might leave a tiny impression on the stat sheet and a larger footprint in the memory of the ball boy.

An up and coming guard brings footwork that could win a chess match against a spinning tackle dummy. If he survives the opening sprint, he will be judged on false starts, hand placement, and his ability to order a coffee with precision.

A special teams ace could decide the outcome with a single decisive boot. The onlookers will pretend the return is the only thing that matters, while the sideline fakes seriousness about strategy.

The coaching staff will deliver pep talks loud enough for the interns in the camera well, and the bench will respond with the collective energy of a well-timed team chorus. They might also check the volume on a ‘portable bluetooth speaker for tailgates’ to ensure the playlist outshines the plays.

A safety with a nose for drama will mine opportunities in coverage and in misdirection. If the ball slips through, he will blame it on the wind and a calendar full of questionable practice drills.

A running back with a nose for the end zone will chase a script that never seems to end. He will fight for a handful of carries and a handful of fans who believe he could become the star of a late summer highlight reel.

A defensive end with a knack for stripped balls and unexpected swagger will remind everyone that sacks still exist in the preseason universe. His highlight will be a tumble of feet and a triumphant raise of the helmet.

A wide receiver who can sprint past a puddle of gravity will try to snag a ball that seems to exist only for dramatic effect. The crowd will clap like a stadium full of living room televisions.

The coach on the headset will declare these minutes the most consequential of the year, while quietly calculating how many more supportive messages he can send to the tunnel of the stadium.

Jets contingency players will also try to steal some spotlight, pretending that this is more than a warm-up for a roster battle that might only ever happen in drafts.

Fans will wave signs, some crafted with more hope than glue, and the press box will pretend the scoreboard matters more than the moral of the story. The scoreboard might show a few bright lines, but the punchline remains the same.

Meal-prep warriors in the press box will demand extra salt on their popcorn and pretend the season hinges on whether the popcorn is exactly the right crunch. The real prize remains the chance to avoid a final cut and to pretend the result was destiny.

By the end, coaches will have a clearer picture of who belongs and who will be asked to leave politely with a hoodie and a cardboard box. The fans will depart convinced that preseason is a necessary ritual, even if it produces more questions than answers.

As the final seconds melt away, the headline will be written in the locker room and the coffee cups will be stacked in solemn victory. The true measure of success will be whether anyone remembers what happened after the scoreboard was turned off.