Vic Fangio may have quietly revealed one of the Eagles’ most important defensive adjustments for 2026.
The Eagles defensive coordinator said Cooper DeJean will line up at safety in the team’s base defense packages before sliding back into the slot when Philadelphia shifts to nickel.
“It’s open,” Fangio said regarding the safety competition. “In base, it will be Cooper [DeJean]. When we go to nickel and Coop comes up and plays nickel, it’ll be Epps.”
The move makes a ton of sense for Philadelphia. Instead of taking one of their best defensive backs off the field in heavier formations, the Eagles can now keep DeJean, Quinyon Mitchell, and Riq Woolen on the field together at the same time.
DeJean’s versatility has always been one of his biggest strengths dating back to Iowa, where he played multiple spots in the secondary.
With Fangio constantly prioritizing disguise and interchangeable defensive backs, DeJean’s ability to move between nickel and safety could become a major weapon for the Eagles defense this season.
