The Philadelphia Eagles entered the 2023 season with a clear mandate: to address their beleaguered pass defense. Last season, the Eagles' secondary was among the league's worst, allowing a 97.6 passer rating and surrendering a staggering 35 passing touchdowns. Recognizing the urgent need for improvement, the team has undertaken a comprehensive overhaul of their secondary, positioning themselves to bolster their defensive capabilities significantly.
At the heart of the Eagles' defense, Darius Slay remains a constant presence. However, alongside him, significant changes have brewed. James Bradberry, a key cornerback for the Eagles last season, allowed nine touchdowns and logged an 87.9 passer rating. At 31, Bradberry’s performance has been under scrutiny, especially given he still has two years left on his three-year, $38 million contract signed in 2023. Interestingly, the Eagles are exploring multiple options concerning Bradberry's future, including potential trade scenarios or even a post-June 1 cut to gain cap savings. Alternatively, they might experiment with Bradberry at safety within Vic Fangio's defensive scheme or position him in competition for the starting cornerback spot opposite Slay.
The Eagles' commitment to revamping the secondary is evident from their recent draft picks. Promising talents like Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean bring versatility to the squad, with experience playing inside, outside, and in dime packages. Mitchell particularly stands out as a candidate for a starting role and has the potential to become the first Eagles rookie cornerback to start before Week 5 since Eric Allen in 1988. Meanwhile, DeJean is set to compete with Avonte Maddox for the slot cornerback role.
Further reinforcing the secondary, Kelee Ringo has demonstrated considerable potential. During the last four regular-season games of the previous campaign, he played 198 out of 199 defensive snaps, allowing just a 40.8 passer rating in coverage and even recording an interception. This performance underscores his capacity to compete at the highest level and suggests that he might secure one of the cornerback positions.
Another strong contender is Isaiah Rodgers, who has had an impressive minicamp, further solidifying his place on the roster. In addition to these developing talents, Eli Ricks and Josh Jobe are battling for positions, with Jobe's special teams expertise making him a valuable asset. Tyler Hall, signed in March, is also vying for a special teams role and the opportunity to start in the slot.
Looking at the likely composition of the secondary, Darius Slay, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Kelee Ringo, and Isaiah Rodgers appear to be near-certainties for five of the six cornerback slots. This breadth of talent and potential lineup versatility sets the Eagles up for a much-improved performance in the upcoming season.
Nevertheless, as the Eagles prepare for the season ahead, key questions remain. How will the secondary coalesce? Can veterans like Slay and Bradberry complement the new draft picks to form a formidable defensive line? And will the strategic experiments within Vic Fangio's defense pay off? With the combination of seasoned players and fresh talent, the Eagles have certainly made significant strides towards addressing last season’s weaknesses, yet the ultimate test will come on the field.
As the pre-season unfolds, fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching the Eagles' secondary. The outcome of this revamped defensive strategy could very well define Philadelphia's trajectory this season. With bold decisions and a reenergized squad, the Eagles have laid the foundation for a potential defensive resurgence.