Philadelphia, PA – May 31, 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles were riding a wave of optimism after a strong NFL Draft performance—until that optimism hit an unexpected wall. In a move that has sent shockwaves through the fanbase, second-round pick Andrew Mukuba has refused to sign his rookie contract, citing concerns that have left many Eagles fans stunned and frustrated.
Mukuba, a safety out of Texas and widely considered a high-upside pick with immediate starting potential, was selected with the 47th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He was expected to fill a crucial spot in a reshaped Eagles secondary that has seen major departures this offseason. But instead of locking in and preparing to take the field at training camp, Mukuba is holding out—and letting the public know why.
According to a report from FanHub, Mukuba's primary issue is with the team’s lack of clarity on his role within Vic Fangio’s complex defensive scheme. The rookie believes he deserves more assurance about his responsibilities and usage, especially with multiple young players already vying for playing time in the secondary.
“I didn’t come here to sit and learn for two years. I know what I bring to the table,” Mukuba reportedly said to close associates, per sources cited in the article.
While rookies occasionally negotiate over contract structure or guaranteed money, outright refusal to sign due to depth chart uncertainty is virtually unheard of—especially this early in the offseason. The move has left the Eagles front office blindsided and sparked heavy backlash on social media. Fans have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to voice their disappointment, with many suggesting that Mukuba's stance is both premature and disrespectful to the coaching staff.
This situation places added pressure on GM Howie Roseman, who now must either reassure the rookie behind closed doors or potentially consider trading the pick before things escalate further. That said, the Eagles are in no rush. They still hold exclusive signing rights until mid-July, and many within the organization believe this is a temporary impasse.
Veteran safety Reed Blankenship is expected to take on a leadership role in the meantime, with Sydney Brown and free agent acquisition Amani Hooker also in the mix. The Eagles remain confident in the talent pool they’ve assembled—but Mukuba was supposed to be the centerpiece of the future.
As the standoff continues, fans can only hope that cooler heads prevail and that Mukuba eventually embraces the opportunity he was drafted for. But for now, the headline speaks for itself: the Eagles' second-round gem has just become a rookie shocker.
