Vic Fangio says patience is key for Eagles rookie DE Uar Bernard
· Yahoo Sports
The Eagles added one of the most unique developmental prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft when Philadelphia selected defensive tackle Uar Bernard with the No. 251 overall pick through the NFL's International Player Pathway program.
Visit fish-roadgame.online for more information.
Bernard arrives in Philadelphia with rare physical tools and an uncommon football journey. The Nigerian native never played high school or college football, making his transition to the NFL significantly different from that of nearly every other player entering the league. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio understands the challenge. Asked on Thursday about Bernard's development process, Fangio pointed to prior experience coaching another international athlete who was attempting a similar transition.
"Yeah, it's really different," Fangio said. "The guy's never played high school football, college football."
Fangio recalled working with Lawrence Okoye while coaching with San Francisco. Okoye, an Olympic discus thrower from England, entered football carrying a similar blend of size, athleticism, and inexperience.
"I had a similar experience when I was with the Niners," Fangio said. "We had a guy by the name of Lawrence Okoye who was an Olympic discus thrower for England."
The comparison highlights both the opportunity and the challenge facing Bernard. Physical traits alone rarely guarantee success in professional football, particularly along the defensive line, where technique, hand usage, leverage, and play recognition often separate NFL contributors from developmental projects.
Fangio acknowledged that previous attempts at similar transitions have not always succeeded.
"Looked a lot like Uar looks now and we kept him for a couple years," Fangio said. "Other teams tried. It never worked for him."
Philadelphia believes Bernard is worth the investment. At 6-foot-4½ and 306 pounds, Bernard entered the draft process with elite measurables, including 36-inch arms, 11-inch hands, a 39-inch vertical leap, and reported 4.63-second speed in the 40-yard dash.
The Eagles have consistently targeted elite athletic traits under executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman, particularly along the defensive front. Bernard also arrives with a compelling personal story. Raised in a small farming village in Nigeria, Bernard lost his father, a police officer, when he was 16 years old. In roughly three years, he progressed from football newcomer to NFL draft selection. The Eagles are not expecting instant production.
"Patience will need to be a virtue both on his part and ours," Fangio said.
Philadelphia has built one of the NFL's strongest defensive line development systems over the last decade. Bernard now becomes the latest long-term project entering that pipeline. The tools are evident. The timeline remains unknown.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Vic Fangio details challenge developing Eagles DT Uar Bernard