This is the "debut" moment the Eagles have waited for since signing running back Saquon Barkley in free agency, and it is no surprise that Barkley is in the middle of a lot of attention this week as the Eagles prepare for Green Bay on Friday night.

In Brazil.

In prime time.

"I'm super excited about it, about doing something that no other NFL player has done, and that's play in South America," Barkley said. "We put a lot of work in camp and obviously we didn't show a lot of what we're planning to do. I think we've got a great game plan and I'm excited about going out there and executing what we want to do.

"We have so much talent here. It's not about me. It's about all the players we have. We have so much confidence in each other and that's the way it has to be. That's what football is all about. There are always going to be jitters; that's just the way it is for me. But when it starts, it's just football, something I've been doing since I was a kid. We want it all to come together, but we also know that it's a long season and you're going to have your moments."

The tone from Head Coach Nick Sirianni: 'I'm so excited'

Head Coach Nick Sirianni sets the emotional tone for the Eagles and his emotional tone for Friday night's game in Brazil is going to be one that is focused, very intense, and passionate.

Being in this position – Friday night football, an international stage, against the Green Bay Packers – all of that is a huge deal to Sirianni.

"We are up here in the team meeting today and the words that came out of my mouth, "Hey, we have got to be ready Friday night." Wow, what an unbelievable thing to say – we have a game Friday night. That gives me goosebumps to think about that," Sirianni said earlier in the week. "Friday Night Football – those were my favorite players growing up, because my dad (Fran) was a coach, the high school players that played on Friday night – John Briggs, it was my brother Jay Sirianni, Mike Sirianni, Pete Connelly. Those were my favorite players growing up. 'Friday Night Football.' I was able to say that to these guys. The excitement should be so high on every level, not just for Saquon, just for all of us. This is why we fell in love with this game.

"And I'm so excited to be able to go to Brazil to play in front of very passionate fans. Obviously super bummed we don't get to play in front of our passionate fans. I love our fans, the home-field advantage that we have. But, excited. This is my first international trip and excited and know how much they care about sports in Brazil, so I'm excited about that. It's Friday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers.

"You take me back to when those guys were my favorite players and if you said to me, 'Hey, Friday night, September whatever, 2024, you're going to be the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles,' - and I'm 10 years old – 'and you're playing the Green Bay Packers," I mean, I would've been pretty pumped about that and I'm still pumped about that."

C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Being back is 'phenomenal'

The Eagles brought back safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson after his 2023 season in Detroit and he adds playmaking ability and great energy to the defense. For Gardner-Johnson, a big reason the Eagles reached the Super Bowl in the 2022 campaign, playing in Brazil and being an Eagle are very, very special.

"Going to Brazil and putting on the jersey that I put on two years ago to go to the Super Bowl, it's going to be phenomenal," he said. "We love being in Brazil, first international game there. It's going to be different, but the atmosphere should be great. They're very passionate people over there about everything."

The rookies are ready

Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio made it clear that No. 1 draft pick cornerback Quinyon Mitchell will play on Friday night – "He'll be out there," Fangio said – and the expectation is that it could be in a significant role. That suits Mitchell just fine.

"I've been working hard and stuff like that. I just got to keep my film together. I feel really ready. You know. I feel like I'm preparing myself for this," he said. "So I feel really good. I have to trust what I'm seeing and communicate and go out and play football. It means a lot to me to be part of this and I just have to keep my foot on the gas.

"Jordan Love is a great quarterback and he puts the ball in places that make you have perfect coverage. It's going to be fun out there."

Cornerback Cooper DeJean is also prepared for whatever role he may have as he catches up after missing time in Training Camp with a hamstring injury.

"This is my job and I'm going to be ready for what they give me," DeJean said. "I'm working every day out there, studying and working on my technique. I feel it is getting better every day."

What does it mean for Jeremiah Trotter Jr. with fellow linebacker Devin White sidelined? That remains to be seen, but Trotter knows the defense and has every bit of confidence in himself to do the job.

"Every day, just working on my game, working within the defense, and hoping to be on the field in any way," he said. "Special teams, defense, I'm just excited for this to be here and to help the team."

Year 2 for Jalen Carter: Big expectations for the entire defense

There are a lot of new faces on the Eagles' defense under Fangio, but one of the returnees is second-year defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who is being counted on to wreak havoc inside at the line of scrimmage.

He feels the same way.

"I look good and I feel good," he said. "I expect a lot out of myself, so that's what I'm thinking for this season. I always want to go out there and dominate. That's the mindset I have and that's the way we all want to play defense this season."

Carter had some moments last season when he overwhelmed offensive blocking schemes with his speed, quickness, and power, and now, well, he wants more. Consistency is the key, Carter says.

"You have to be at your best on every play or they're going to get you," he said. "That's the way it is in the NFL. Everyone is a great player and they will take advantage of you if you aren't on your game. I need to bring it on every play."

That's the mantra of the defense, which opens the season with a very difficult challenge in the high-powered Packers offense.