The New Wall: Eagles’ Young Secondary Faces the Ultimate Test

Philadelphia, PA – May 28, 2025

After an offseason of bold moves and big departures, the Philadelphia Eagles are putting their legacy—and their Lombardi defense—into the hands of unproven youth. Gone are the battle-tested veterans: Darius Slay, James Bradberry, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, whose names once anchored the Eagles’ secondary. In their place stands a new generation, and all eyes are now locked on them during OTAs.

Leading the charge are Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, both already drawing early praise for their maturity and elite play. According to PFF, DeJean posted the highest grade among all NFL cornerbacks last season (86.3), while Mitchell wasn’t far behind, ranking eighth overall. “They might be young, but they play like vets,” one Eagles coach was overheard saying during practice.

Third-year corner Kelee Ringo is pushing to retain his role, but he’ll have to outduel newcomer Adoree’ Jackson, the veteran brought in to steady the room. Meanwhile, at safety, rising stars Sydney Brown and rookie Andrew Mukuba are locked in a fierce battle to join Reed Blankenship, who is expected to step into a vocal leadership role left by Gardner-Johnson.

This defensive backfield is talented—no one denies that. But in a city like Philadelphia, talent alone doesn't earn trust. They’ll need to replicate last year’s top-ranked pass defense (allowing just 174.2 yards per game), and they’ll need to do it without a safety net. “The training wheels are off,” noted CBS Sports' Garrett Podell. “Now we find out if this group is ready to be great.”

There’s belief in the locker room and in the coaching staff, especially with Vic Fangio orchestrating the defense. But belief alone won’t win a division stacked with offensive firepower. It’s up to these new faces—Mitchell, DeJean, Ringo, Mukuba, and Brown—to become more than potential. They must become the new wall.