The Philadelphia Eagles' Secondary Enters a Season of Change
Last season, the Philadelphia Eagles' pass defense found itself among the lower echelons of the NFL, allowing a 97.6 passer rating while conceding 35 passing touchdowns. As the team gears up for the 2023 season, major overhauls in the secondary appear to be the focal point in transforming their leaky pass defense into a formidable unit.
Cornerback Darius Slay, a key player from last season, remains in his role. His counterpart, James Bradberry, who allowed nine passing touchdowns and an 87.9 passer rating, finds himself at a crossroads. Despite signing a three-year, $38 million contract in 2023, Bradberry's future with the Eagles is uncertain. At 31 years old and with two years remaining on his deal, the team appears to be exploring multiple options, including a potential trade or a post-June 1 cut, which would result in cap savings.
Experimentation and Competition
The Eagles are not closing any doors, though. Bradberry might see an opportunity to pivot within Vic Fangio's defensive scheme, potentially experimenting with the safety position. Alternatively, he may vie for the starting cornerback spot opposite Slay. Concurrently, younger talents are making strong cases for their inclusion and ascendance within the team.
Kelee Ringo, who played 198 out of 199 defensive snaps during the final four regular-season games last season, showcased his lockdown capabilities by allowing a mere 40.8 passer rating in coverage and recording an interception. This sturdy performance not only sealed his status as a presumed lock for one of the cornerback slots but also set a high benchmark for the new entrants.
Another contender, Isaiah Rodgers, had an impressive minicamp and is now expected to secure a roster spot at cornerback. His form during offseason workouts has given the coaching staff another potent weapon in their secondary arsenal.
The Rookie Outlook
The Eagles' recent draft picks, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, are also stirring excitement with their versatility. They have demonstrated the ability to line up inside, outside, and in dime packages, adding much-needed flexibility to the defensive unit. Mitchell, in particular, is emerging as a strong contender for a starting position. Remarkably, he could become the first Eagles rookie cornerback to start before Week 5 since Eric Allen achieved the feat in 1988.
DeJean is set to compete with Avonte Maddox for the slot cornerback role, a battle that will likely unfold intensively throughout training camp. This competition promises to be one of the intriguing storylines to follow as the season approaches.
Final Roster Spots
With Slay, Mitchell, DeJean, Ringo, and Rodgers firmly in place for five of the six cornerback slots, the remaining position sees a heated contest. Eli Ricks and Josh Jobe are the primary contenders, with Jobe also bringing valuable special teams expertise to his case. Tyler Hall, signed in March, is vying for a chance to start in the slot while also carving out a role in special teams. This final slot is crucial, as depth at the cornerback position often proves indispensable over the course of the season.
As the Eagles' revamped secondary prepares to take the field, the blend of veteran resilience and youthful exuberance offers a promising formula for success. The competition is fierce, the stakes are high, and the outcomes remain uncertain, but one thing is clear: the Philadelphia Eagles are committed to significantly upgrading their pass defense to better contend in the upcoming NFL season.