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The Eagles are hiding a dangerous secret: Cooper DeJean’s new role will expose Jalen Carter in ways no one saw coming!

Posted on June 4, 2025 - 9:00 am by

The Philadelphia Eagles’ defense is quietly shaping up to be a powerhouse, and at the heart of it are two players whose impact could redefine the team’s identity: Jalen Carter and Cooper DeJean. As the Eagles progress through spring practices, it’s becoming clear that their defensive success hinges on these two dynamic talents—and a surprising strategic shift that could catch opponents off guard.

Jalen Carter: A Force Still Learning His Craft

Defensive tackle Jalen Carter has already cemented himself as one of the NFL’s most disruptive interior linemen. Entering his third season at just 24 years old, Carter’s ability to command double teams has made him a cornerstone of the Eagles’ defensive front. Yet, remarkably, Eagles legend Jeremiah Trotter recently suggested on SportsRadio 94 WIP that Carter still hasn’t fully mastered the nuances of his position.

“I agree with the point he’s trying to make,” Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said on June 3. “The good news about Jalen is two-fold. One, he played very well for us last year, and two, he can still improve a lot.”

Carter’s dominance was evident last season, where he played at least 90% of defensive snaps in 8 of his 19 games—an extraordinary workload for a defensive tackle, especially one frequently facing double teams. “I’m having fun out there,” Carter said. “If I could play every down, I’d love it. But if I have to get out because I need a break or something, I know the next guy will step up for me.” Fangio, unconcerned about Carter’s heavy snap count, simply called him a “young pup,” signaling confidence in his endurance and growth potential.

Cooper DeJean: The Swiss Army Knife of the Secondary

While Carter’s role as a disruptive force is well-established, the Eagles’ other key player, Cooper DeJean, is poised to take the defense to another level with his versatility. During the second week of spring practices, Fangio dropped a bombshell when discussing DeJean’s work at outside cornerback: “I would like to keep him at nickel. And then, in our base package, we’ll find a spot for him, either at corner or safety.”

The mention of “safety” turned heads, but it aligns perfectly with DeJean’s skill set. As starting safety Reed Blankenship put it, “Coop’s one of these guys that can play whatever position … He does well anywhere.” DeJean, who took over as the full-time nickel in Week 6 last season, played a pivotal role in the Eagles’ Super Bowl run, including a memorable pick-6 against Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the second quarter of the big game.

Despite not playing safety during the June 3 practice open to the media, DeJean’s potential move to the position in training camp could be a game-changer. His experience at both inside and outside cornerback during his college career at Iowa makes him uniquely equipped to handle multiple roles. “They’re different,” DeJean said of the positions. “On the inside, you gotta prepare more to fit the run, be able to cover and do all those things. At corner, it’s more worrying about covering a top guy, a top receiver, with a lot of space … I just think that doing whatever they need me to do is what I’ll do.”

A Strategic Shift with Big Implications

The Eagles’ defensive overhaul following their Super Bowl victory adds context to Fangio’s plans. The team parted ways with cornerback Darius Slay, let backup Isaiah Rodgers walk in free agency, and traded safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who had six interceptions last season, to the Houston Texans. These moves left gaps in the secondary, prompting Fangio to experiment with DeJean’s role.

Last season, the Eagles played just 160 of their 1,315 defensive snaps (12%) in their base defense, meaning DeJean was on the field for 88% of snaps in nickel once he became a starter. Fangio emphasized that DeJean will remain a fixture in the nickel role but could also see time at corner or safety in base packages. This flexibility allows the Eagles to maximize their best players, regardless of position.

The secondary reflects Fangio’s philosophy of putting the best five players on the field at all times. Quinyon Mitchell emerged as a lockdown cornerback last season, while Slay, even at 34, remained elite before his release. Now, Kelee Ringo, a 6-foot-2, 207-pound “freak of nature” according to veteran Adoree Jackson, and Jackson himself, a nine-year veteran, are competing for the starting cornerback spot opposite Mitchell. Both represent a drop-off from Slay’s production, underscoring DeJean’s importance as a potential difference-maker.

At safety, replacing Gardner-Johnson is no small task. Sydney Brown, a 2023 third-round pick, is recovering from an ACL tear and struggled to secure a role last season, while second-round rookie Drew Mukuba is still developing. This opens the door for DeJean to slide into the safety role when needed, further amplifying his impact.

The Hidden Synergy: Carter and DeJean

The real secret lies in how DeJean’s versatility could unlock Carter’s full potential. With DeJean’s ability to seamlessly switch between nickel, corner, and safety, the Eagles can create unpredictable defensive looks that keep offenses guessing. This fluidity allows Fangio to deploy creative pressure packages, freeing Carter from constant double teams by forcing opponents to account for DeJean’s presence across the field.

Last season, Fangio noted that DeJean’s emergence at nickel allowed the Eagles’ edge rushers to play “nickel-end” rather than traditional 3-4 outside linebacker roles, optimizing the team’s personnel. This year, DeJean’s expanded role could have a similar effect, giving Carter more one-on-one opportunities to wreak havoc. As Fangio put it, “We evolved to that philosophy because once Cooper started to play very well, it got him on the field more … This year that could change.”

A Dangerous Combination

The Eagles are building a defense that thrives on versatility and dominance. Carter, a young star still refining his craft, is already a nightmare for offensive lines. DeJean, with his ability to excel at multiple positions, gives Fangio the flexibility to adapt to any situation. Together, they form a duo that could expose opponents in ways they never anticipated.

As training camp approaches in late July, all eyes will be on how Fangio deploys DeJean and whether Carter can take another leap forward. If the Eagles can harness their combined potential, this “dangerous secret” could propel their defense to new heights—and leave opposing offenses scrambling to keep up.