Mailata: Eagles 'more special' than previous Super Bowl squad

Philadelphia Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata believes this year's team has a little more magic than the version that made the Big Game in 2022.

"I think this team is more close and more special than the last team that went to the Super Bowl," Mailata said, according to PHLY's Zach Berman. "Relationships on a personal level are much more closer, and it carries over to the field on the professional side."

The Eagles finished the regular season as the NFC's No. 2 seed after posting a 14-3 record this year. They've since defeated the Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, and Washington Commanders to punch their ticket to Super Bowl LIX.

Philadelphia's previous title appearance was a 38-35 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII - the same team they'll face on Feb. 9 for the chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

Mailata believes that the team's practice culture has played a role in bringing the roster closer together.

"If we're all in misery (at practice), we're in misery together," the 27-year-old said, per Berman.

Mailata also expressed excitement about the possibility of having defensive end Brandon Graham return to the Eagles' defense, which finished the regular season as the No. 1 unit in yards allowed per game (278.4).

"You heard him before you saw him," the second-team All-Pro offensive lineman said, per Berman. "That's for damn sure. His energy was infectious, man. It's the right time."

The Eagles opened Graham's 21-day practice window to return from injured reserve earlier Thursday. He'd last played in Week 12 and missed six regular-season games with a triceps injury.