As the Philadelphia Eagles gear up for the 2025 season, the search for their No. 2 cornerback opposite Quinyon Mitchell is heating up, and rising third-year player Kelee Ringo is making a bold case to claim the spot. With veterans Darius Slay and Isaiah Rodgers no longer with the team, Ringo has emerged as a prime candidate to step into a starting role, and his recent comments have Eagles fans buzzing with excitement.
Over his first two NFL seasons, Ringo has primarily contributed on special teams, racking up 645 snaps. His defensive opportunities have been limited, with just five regular-season starts, four of which came during his rookie year. However, Ringo’s confidence is soaring as he enters his third season, and he’s dropped a bombshell that has Philly faithful on the edge of their seats.
“The game is slowing down a lot more, for sure,” Ringo said. “When the game slows down, you can play a lot faster.” This newfound clarity has allowed Ringo to elevate his game, giving him an edge as he competes for the starting cornerback position. His preparation goes beyond his own role, as he’s taken the initiative to study the playbook and learn other positions to better understand his teammates’ responsibilities. “Diving into the playbook and learning other positions that aren’t even mine just to know where my help is,” he explained. “You understand your position and what the guy next to you is doing, you can play much faster.”
Ringo’s path to the starting lineup won’t be a cakewalk, however. The Eagles bolstered their secondary by signing veteran Adoree Jackson in free agency last March. Jackson, now in his ninth NFL season, brings a wealth of experience from his time with the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants. Despite his readiness to start, Jackson has embraced a mentorship role, particularly with Ringo, his locker mate. The veteran has been blown away by Ringo’s potential, describing him as a “freak of nature” with remarkable physical attributes.
“What stands out most about Kelee is that he’s a freak of nature,” Jackson said. “Just his (in)tangibles of being that tall, being able to have speed, his movement … one of the coolest things is that he’s my locker mate, so to be able to talk to him, he’s a funny dude. Good people.”
Ringo’s development has also been shaped by the guidance of former Eagles veterans like Slay, Rodgers, Avonte Maddox, and James Bradberry, who served as mentors during his first two seasons. With those players now gone, Jackson has stepped in to fill the veteran leadership void, offering Ringo valuable insights as he prepares to take on a bigger role.
As the battle for the No. 2 cornerback spot intensifies, Ringo’s combination of raw talent, growing confidence, and mentorship from Jackson has Eagles fans dreaming of a breakout season. If Ringo can translate his newfound understanding of the game into on-field production, he could lock down the starting role and become a cornerstone of Philly’s secondary in 2025. The stage is set for an explosive competition, and Ringo’s bold mindset has the City of Brotherly Love buzzing with anticipation.