Can the Eagles Repair the Cracks in Coverage?
The Philadelphia Eagles have historically been known for their defensive strength under coordinator Vic Fangio. Now that mid-season is here, the secondary has emerged as one of their weakest points on the field. With key players who helped the Birds secure the Super Bowl win in 2024 no longer on the roster, the cracks have been exposed despite the potential of young players. As the trade deadline approaches, the Eagles struck a deal with the New York Jets to help bolster their secondary depth, but will it be enough to turn things around?
Cornerback Depth
On the outside, Quinyon Mitchell has become a standout bright spot on the defense. His coverage numbers shine against some of the best receivers in the league, allowing under 50% completions and an average of only 3.7 yards per target. Conversely, the other outside corner position has shuffled mostly between Kelee Ringo and Adoree’ Jackson, both of whom have struggled to consistently hold up in coverage. Meanwhile, Cooper DeJean has primarily been utilized inside the slot and has excelled in coverage. Although in his rookie season, he only took eight snaps on the outside, in 2025, he has been more frequently deployed there when necessary.
This week, the Eagles traded with the Jets to acquire Michael Carter II, adding valuable depth and flexibility to the secondary. Carter has played most of his snaps in the slot, which could allow DeJean to move outside opposite Mitchell. This interchange could repair the weak spot on the outside while maintaining a strong presence inside. Though the rotation remains unsettled amidst a bye week, the trade evidently boosts the depth of Philly’s back end.
Safeties and Coverage Vulnerabilities
When it comes to the safeties, stability has been harder to find. With the departure of CJ Gardner-Johnson, a once Philly fan favorite, the only returning starter is Reed Blankenship. While Blankenship has held up reasonably well, the numbers are less ideal compared to last season’s standards. So far, Blankenship has allowed about 69% completions with an average of 11.6 yards per catch. Rookie safety Andrew Mukuba is allowing an average of 11.3 yards after catches, and Pro Football Focus currently ranks him 73rd out of 88 safeties in the league.
More broadly, the Eagles are allowing an average of 6.4 yards after the catch as of Week Eight and an average of 216 passing yards per game. The combination of inexperience and leaks in safety coverage has increased pressure on the front and corners to compensate. This is surprising given Philly’s defensive backfield has historically been a strong point; a foundation that has allowed for more opportunity to blitz aggressively and take chances. Without that consistency, the defense's flexibility, versatility in schemes, and overall confidence have taken a hit.
Shaping the Secondary
The addition of Michael Carter II is a step in the right direction for the young defense. Adding him improves the depth and flexibility in the slot and could free DeJean to stabilize the second corner position. On the other hand, solidifying the safety coverage is a more urgent and challenging matter. The Eagles' DB unit isn’t completely broken; it still has some top-tier talent and is loaded with potential—but inexperience and inconsistency are holding the unit back. If those concerns can be addressed and developed during the bye week, the defense can once again become a strength for Philly rather than a liability.
