Philadelphia, PA – June 11, 2025
The pads weren’t even on. The air was thick with June humidity. And yet, by the end of the very first mandatory minicamp practice, one name was echoing through NovaCare Complex louder than any other — Kelee Ringo.
The second-year cornerback didn’t need a week, a preseason, or even a full practice cycle to prove he belonged. All he needed was one session. One red zone rep. One matchup against a Pro Bowl receiver. And suddenly, the Eagles’ secondary picture is being redrawn.
“He just locked up A.J. Brown,” one reporter whispered from the sideline.
“You can’t teach that kind of control.”
During 7-on-7 drills, Ringo made his presence known with a leaping pass breakup on a fade route to Terrace Marshall Jr., timed to perfection in the back corner of the end zone. Not long after, he blanketed A.J. Brown so tightly on a key rep that the quarterback didn’t even look his way.
The buzz was immediate. Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94WIP labeled Ringo’s performance “outstanding” and went as far as to say he likely secured a starting role — in just one day.
Ringo, a fourth-round pick in 2023, entered the league with elite athleticism but raw technique. After a year of development under the watchful eye of the Eagles’ coaching staff, it seems he’s ready to convert promise into production.
With veterans like Avonte Maddox and James Bradberry facing uncertain roles, and with Darius Slay no longer in the picture, Ringo’s rapid emergence could accelerate a youth movement in the secondary — and possibly spell the end of the line for others.
“You can see the confidence now,” said defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. “He’s trusting what he sees and reacting fast. That’s what we need.”
For a team aiming to reload rather than rebuild, the rise of a young, physical, and fearless corner like Ringo could be one of the defining storylines of the summer.
“I just want to prove I belong,” Ringo said post-practice. “That starts with showing up every day ready to compete.”
He’s already done that — and then some. And now, just one practice into minicamp, the Eagles’ depth chart may never look the same again.
