Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman acknowledged one of his major setbacks last season was the inability to solidify the CB2 position, despite giving opportunities to Adoree’ Jackson and Kelee Ringo. Speaking at the NFL Combine, Roseman highlighted the significance of All-Pro players Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell, who stepped up impressively to anchor the secondary.
I think that when you look at a Q (Quinyon Mitchell) and Coop (DeJean) leading that group, two All-Pro players, guys who we want to be part of Philadelphia Eagles for a long time,
Roseman said via The Athletic’s Zach Berman.
Really coop, he can play anything. He can play outside corner, he can play nickel, he can play at an All-Pro level, anywhere. So having him gives you some flexibility. And so we’ll go into the off-season and looking to add to that position. Adoree’ did a really nice job for us last year, and got better throughout the course of the year. And so just like any other position, he’s a free agent, and we’ll just kind of see how the offseason plays out.
DeJean’s Versatility Demonstrated, But Slot Position Is His Strength
During last season, Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio expressed a clear preference for Cooper DeJean to play in the slot. A notable example was Week 12 against the Dallas Cowboys, when DeJean moved outside due to Jackson’s injury; that experiment did not produce positive results, showcasing the slot as DeJean’s optimal position. Meanwhile, Quinyon Mitchell remains an undisputed top shutdown cornerback in the league, with no controversies surrounding his role.
DeJean has proven himself as a standout slot corner, excelling in coverage and significantly contributing to run defense. Jackson, despite showing improvement late in the season, lacked consistent performance to firmly claim an outside corner role heading into the 2026 season.
Decision Time for Philadelphia’s CB2 Role
The Eagles face a pressing need to resolve their CB2 dilemma, either through free agency or the upcoming draft. Some projections suggest the team might prioritize adding a cornerback, but the Eagles also carry critical roster needs including a future left tackle, a wide receiver, and possibly an edge rusher. Balancing these priorities will be essential during the off-season.
While Cooper DeJean is widely regarded as the best slot corner in the NFL, shifting him outside is unlikely to yield the best outcome. Both Roseman and Fangio must identify a reliable outside cornerback to secure the CB2 spot, which could involve active searches in free agency or the draft to solidify the position as the team plans ahead.
Looking Ahead: Eagles’ Secondary and Roster Strategy
Howie Roseman’s remarks underline the flexibility DeJean brings but also emphasize the importance of surrounding him with the right personnel to strengthen the secondary. The Eagles are entering a crucial off-season where roster moves at cornerback will have lasting effects on their defensive stability. Observers and fans will watch closely as Philadelphia navigates free agency and the draft to support Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, ensuring the team’s secondary can compete at a high level in the seasons to come.
Howie Roseman on CB2: "I think that when you look at a Q and coop leading that group, two All-Pro players, guys who we want to be part of Philadelphia Eagles for a long time. Really coop, he can play anything. He can play outside corner, he can play nickel, he can play at…
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) February 24, 2026
