The NFL is back — here are 5 Canadians to watch

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A new NFL season kicks off tonight when the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles host the wayward Dallas Cowboys.

"America's Team" (much like America itself) has the look of a fading empire, bound to the misguided whims of its elderly billionaire leader. Eighty-two-year-old Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones committed his latest blunder last week by trading disgruntled star pass rusher Micah Parsons (one of a precious few bright spots on last year's 7-10 team) to Green Bay for an underwhelming return.

The Eagles, who reportedly tried to acquire Parsons, remain among the top championship contenders after their ferocious defence dismantled Patrick Mahomes and company in a 40-22 Super Bowl blowout of Kansas City last February. On offence, Saquon Barkley is coming off an electric 2,000-rushing-yard season while quarterback Jalen Hurts will continue to run the "tush push" after NFL owners voted not to outlaw the nearly unstoppable short-yardage play that, somehow, only the Eagles have managed to master.

Philly has a couple of Canadians on its roster in safety Sydney Brown, who's being promoted to the starting lineup after playing more of a support role last season, and depth receiver John Metchie III, a former University of Alabama standout who spent his first two pro seasons with the Houston Texans.

Around the league, more than 20 Canadians are on active rosters heading into Week 1. Here's a look at five who could make an impact this season:

Chase Brown (Cincinnati Bengals running back)

The 2023 fifth-round draft pick began last season behind journeyman Zack Moss. But Sydney