Last season, the Philadelphia Eagles' pass defense left much to be desired, ranking near the bottom of the NFL standings. Allowing a 97.6 passer rating and 35 passing touchdowns, the secondary's vulnerabilities were glaring. Heading into the 2023 season, the Eagles have taken decisive steps to address these shortcomings, overhauling their secondary in hopes of a stronger defensive showing.
One constant remains in the Eagles' defensive backfield: Darius Slay. As one of the key cornerbacks for the team last season, Slay's contributions are pivotal. Conversely, his counterpart from last season, James Bradberry, finds himself in a position of uncertainty. At 31 years old, Bradberry is coming off a campaign where he allowed nine passing touchdowns and an 87.9 passer rating. Despite being in the second year of a three-year, $38 million contract, the Eagles are weighing their options regarding his future.
Chief among the considerations for Bradberry is a potential trade or a post-June 1 cut, which would yield cap savings for the Eagles. Another intriguing possibility is experimenting with Bradberry at the safety position within Vic Fangio's defense or allowing him to compete for the starting cornerback spot opposite Slay.
Kelee Ringo offers a promising glimpse into the future. Playing 198 out of 199 defensive snaps in the Eagles' final four regular-season games last season, Ringo demonstrated impressive coverage skills, allowing a mere 40.8 passer rating and recording an interception. Isaiah Rodgers, who had a standout minicamp, is also expected to solidify a spot on the roster at cornerback.
The Eagles' recent draft picks add another dimension to the revamped secondary. Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean bring versatility, capable of lining up inside, outside, and in dime packages. Mitchell, in particular, stands as a strong contender for a starting position and has the potential to become the first Eagles rookie cornerback to start before Week 5 since Eric Allen did in 1988. DeJean, on the other hand, is set to compete with Avonte Maddox for the slot cornerback role.
As the Eagles continue to evaluate their secondary, the battles for roster spots intensify. Eli Ricks and Josh Jobe are both vying for positions, with Jobe's special teams expertise providing him an edge. The presumed locks for five of the six cornerback slots are Slay, Mitchell, DeJean, Ringo, and Rodgers.
One new face looking to make an impact is Tyler Hall, signed by the Eagles in March. Hall is competing for a role on special teams and a chance to start in the slot, adding further depth to a secondary eager to shed the underwhelming performances of last season.
In conclusion, the Philadelphia Eagles' secondary is undergoing significant changes, with a mix of seasoned veterans, promising young talents, and strategic experiments aiming to transform the pass defense. As the 2023 season approaches, all eyes will be on this retooled unit to see if it can rectify the issues that plagued it last year and emerge as a formidable force in the NFL.