Eagles are shifting Cooper DeJean's role after dominant All-Pro season
Vic Fangio revealed Cooper DeJean will play safety in base defense while continuing to dominate as Philadelphia's slot cornerback
The Philadelphia Eagles fielded one of the NFL's top defenses last season, and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio appears determined to make one of his most versatile stars even more dangerous in Year 3. Speaking with reporters, Fangio revealed that Cooper DeJean will line up at safety in the Eagles ' base defense packages this season, a notable shift from last year when DeJean aligned at outside cornerback in base personnel. Fangio added that DeJean will continue sliding inside to slot cornerback in nickel packages, where he quickly developed into arguably the NFL's premier player at the position.
The move highlights Philadelphia's confidence in one of the defense's ascending stars and creates even more flexibility for a unit that finished among the league's elite last season. Cooper DeJean will continue to slide to slot CB in nickel personnel, per Fangio. https://t.
co/qWtUPzZkxX ā Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) May 21, 2026 DeJean transformed Philadelphia's defense as a rookie, bringing versatility, physicality, and elite coverage ability to Fangio's scheme. In year two, playing primarily near the line of scrimmage and inside the formation, DeJean finished with 93 tackles, 16 passes defended, and two interceptions while helping anchor Philadelphia's top-five scoring defense. The production only tells part of the story.
Among NFL slot cornerbacks, DeJean finished first in Pro Football Focus coverage grade (79. 3), catch rate allowed (61. 4%), passer rating allowed (55.