As the Philadelphia Eagles gear up for their Sunday showdown against the Denver Broncos at Lincoln Financial Field, all eyes are on cornerback Kelee Ringo. The 23-year-old, who made his first start of the season last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is at the center of speculation about whether he’ll earn a second consecutive start. Head coach Nick Sirianni’s recent comments, paired with insights from defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and teammate Cooper DeJean, have only fueled the anticipation surrounding Ringo’s role in the upcoming game.
Last Friday, Ringo was at his locker, reflecting on Georgia’s narrow 24-21 loss to Alabama, breaking down key plays from the game with the same sharp focus he brings to his professional career. But the conversation quickly shifted to his performance against the Buccaneers, where he showcased his potential in coverage, and to the possibility of starting against Denver. Despite Adoree Jackson’s groin injury potentially clearing up, Fangio hinted earlier in the week that Ringo could still get the nod. “It’s possible,” Fangio said, leaving the door open for the young cornerback to continue proving himself.
Ringo’s debut start against Tampa Bay was a mixed bag but undeniably promising. Teammate Cooper DeJean was quick to praise his performance, noting, “I thought he played really well for it being his first start this season. He communicated really well on the field. It was fun to watch.” While Ringo wasn’t frequently targeted by the Bucs, he stayed in phase when tested, demonstrating his ability to hang with receivers. However, his tackling drew scrutiny, a point he openly acknowledged. “It’s not a secret,” Ringo said candidly. “Anybody who watched the game, I missed a few tackles, and I need to get better at them. It was the first thing I said to myself when I missed them.”
For Ringo, improving his tackling is more than just a technical fix—it’s a matter of personal accountability. “Personally, do you really respect the game if you’re going out there knowing you need to get better at something and you’re not really doing it?” he asked rhetorically. “That’s the internal question you have with yourself.” Fangio echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that Ringo’s growth in tackling will be a critical measure of his development. “His true test will be to see how he improves,” the defensive coordinator noted.
Ringo also shed light on the nuances of tackling, particularly when comparing special teams to defensive play. “On defense, there’s no telling what angle you’ll need to take or what situation you’ll be in,” he explained. “On special teams, it’s taking your shot full speed. There’s not as much reading. You can go out there and be strictly a hunter.” This distinction highlights the mental and physical demands of his role on defense, where quick decision-making is as crucial as athleticism.
When pressed about whether he’d start against the Broncos, Ringo flashed a wide grin but kept his cards close. “To be continued,” he said playfully. “It’s not to be found out yet, so it’s to be continued.” His coy response reflects the discipline instilled by Sirianni, who is notoriously tight-lipped about lineup decisions. Earlier in the week, Sirianni may have inadvertently tipped his hand when discussing Ringo’s practice performance. “He did some really good things in that Bucs game, big fourth-down pass breakup that gave us the ball back, and did some really nice things in coverage,” Sirianni said, adding, “Looking forward to seeing him play on Sunday.”
The coach’s praise, combined with Ringo’s potential and the uncertainty surrounding Jackson’s status, has sparked intrigue about the cornerback’s role against Denver. Even as Sirianni avoided confirming lineup changes—much like he sidestepped questions about Nakobe Dean’s social media post indicating he wouldn’t be activated—his enthusiasm for Ringo’s progress suggests the second-year player could be in line for a bigger role.
As the Eagles prepare to face the Broncos, Ringo’s development is a storyline to watch. Can he shore up his tackling and build on his promising coverage skills? Will he seize the opportunity to cement his place in the starting lineup? With Sirianni’s confidence and Fangio’s guidance, Ringo is poised to answer those questions on the field, where his performance could shape both his season and the Eagles’ defensive future.