1961 Philadelphia Eagles

Off Season
Since 1951 the Eagles had held their training camp at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

NFL Draft
The 1961 NFL Draft and the 1961 AFL Draft were 2 separate drafts and players could end up being drafted by both leagues.


 * The NFL Draft was a draft of 20 rounds with 14 teams picking were separate drafts for college players and took place on December 27–28, 1960. The Eagles would pick last by going 10–2 in the 1960 season. As was the rule then, teams picked by previous season record, with that Cleveland Browns pick ahead of 1960 NFL Championship Game loser Green Bay Packers. This draft was also the first regular draft for the Dallas Cowboys as they had only participated in the 1960 NFL Expansion Draft that year. The Cowboys held the worst record in the NFL the previous season, but selected second in this draft because of the entry of the Minnesota Vikings into the league. The league would later hold an expansion draft for the Minnesota Vikings  expansion franchise, and the Vikings were also awarded the first selection position in this draft.


 * The AFL draft was held on 2 dates 2 weeks apart. At the end of the 1960 college season, but before the bowl games, the AFL had a 6 round draft held by phone. The second draft was held December 5th and 6th 1960 for rounds 7 through 30. Denver Broncos selected New Mexico State's Bob Gaiters as the overall first draft pick.


 * The Philadelphia Eagles lost their 1st round pick to the AFL for the second straight year. About half of the Eagles' 19 picks either signed with the AFL or remained in college to play last year of eligibility.

Preseason

 * August 4, Chicago All-Star Game: Eagles 28, All-Stars 14