Eagles defense reshaped overnight by two roster changes

The 2025 edition of the Philadelphia Eagles came into the regular season with one of the youngest starting defenses in the National Football League.

After losing five major contributors to the defense that helped the 2024 Eagles win Super Bowl 59, Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio still has this year's unit executing at a high level. In five of the Eagles' nine games this season, the opponent has scored only 21 points or less, and Philadelphia is tied for the fewest touchdowns allowed by any defense in the NFL this year (8 - tied with the Denver Broncos).

But the "weakest link" for the Eagles' defense has consistently been the depth at the Cornerback position. While Quinyon Mitchell is one of the best Outside Corners in the NFL, there has been a significant downgrade at the opposite Outside CB spot compared to last season, when Philadelphia had Darius Slay and Isaiah Rodgers.

The tandem of Kelee Ringo and Adoree Jackson have both been taken advantage of by multiple teams this season. Some analysts have suggested that the Eagles could move Cooper DeJean from Nickel Corner to Outside Corner, but DC Vic Fangio has wanted to keep the young Defensive Back's versatility in the Philadelphia defense.

The Latest Eagles Roster News Impacting The Cornerback Depth Chart

Surprising news came down on Tuesday Night that recently acquired Cornerback Jaire Alexander was "stepping away from football". The two-time AP All-Pro Second Team Selection is going to focus his attention on "getting himself right physically and mentally".

The Eagles sent a sixth round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to the Baltimore Ravens to acquire Alexander on October 31st. Philadelphia hoped that the former elite Cornerback could help their CB Depth issues.

But now the Eagles will turn their attention and hopes to another reinforcement; Less than 24 hours after the news came out that Alexander was stepping away from Football, Philadelphia placed him on the Reserve/Retired List, and activated Jakorian Bennett from Injured Reserve.

The Eagles traded for Bennett on August 4th when it started to become clear that Ringo and Jackson were not good enough replacements at the Outside Corner vacancy. The 25-year-old Defensive Back started 11 games in two years for the Las Vegas Raiders and was expected to compete for the Outside CB job opening.

But the learning curve for Vic Fangio's defense never gave him an even playing field to compete with Ringo and Jackson for the starting spot. Then Bennett sustained a Pectoral Injury in Philadelphia's Week Three game against the Los Angeles Rams, forcing him to miss the last six games.

Now with Bennett's return to practice from his injury last week, we will see if he can take some of the pressure off Jackson and Ringo at the Starting Outside Corner position. The Eagles are playing three of the top ten scoring offenses in the NFL over the next three weeks, so they will need all hands on deck to slow down the Detroit Lions (31.4 Points Per Game), the Dallas Cowboys (29.2 PPG), and the Chicago Bears (26.6 PPG).