Eagles 2024 Training Camp: Vic Fangio details process for the new secondary, hints Quinyon Mitchell could play multiple positions

One of the main focuses of during training camp for the Philadelphia Eagles will be their secondary and how the additions of Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Isaiah Rodgers will fit into new Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme.

Earlier this week, it was announced that Cooper DeJean will be sidelined for roughly three weeks due to a hamstring injury he suffered during offseason workouts.

WATCH: Cooper DeJean performs ‘Lose Yourself’ by Eminem, gets booed off stage by Eagles teammates during training camp >>

While that definitely sucks for DeJean, who will now miss valuable time in training camp before the start of the regular season, it does provide the rest of the secondary the perfect opportunity to impress Fangio and his staff in effort to work their way into playing time.

The first name that comes to mind is obviously the Eagles’ cornerback of the future, Quinyon Mitchell – who was selected at pick No. 22 in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Vic Fangio on how he’s using Eagles new DB Quinyon Mitchell

Fangio was clearly impressed with Mitchell, and even gave the rookie some reps in the slot during Thursday’s practice.

“He’s a talented guy. He’s smart. Has a good football feel. All of that really is more than I thought he had just from watching the college tape, so that’s been a plus. And I think he’s a guy we can move around anywhere in the coverage part.”

Whether Fangio was strictly testing Mitchell in the slot due to all the reasons he said in the video above or was simply looking at Mitchell elsewhere while DeJean is on the injured list is certainly a follow up question I would have asked.

Regardless, even with DeJean missing critical development time in training camp, the Eagles have the luxury of a deep cornerback room which will provide plenty of fierce competition as they narrow down their roster to meet the 53 man roster requirement.

“It’s rare that it’s so tight that everybody is waiting for who the coaches pick. It becomes obvious. Hopefully it will become obvious here through somebody’s really good play and not somebody’s bad play. So, it will define itself out.”

Quick look at the Eagles’ Safety Room:

Aside from the corners, the safety room is another key position to watch as training camp and preseason unfolds over the next month. Obviously C.J. Gardner Johnson is a welcomed return to the team and will almost certainly be starting alongside Reed Blankenship.

From there, it appears that James Bradberry will get a look at the position as well while Isaiah Rodgers has been getting first team reps opposite of Darius Slay at cornerback.

“He’s been great. You know, he’s eager to learn. He’s embraced the possibilities of it. He’s been great.” – Vic Fangio on James Bradberry at Safety

To be fair, along with the quote above, Fangio stated that making the transition from cornerback to safety is no easy task, and questioned reporters on if they could name any that have done it successfully.

While I appreciate Vic trying to instill confidence in a player that really struggled for last season, I have a feeling no one in the Eagles organization (or fanbase) actually wants to see Bradberry out there playing safety this season. My guess, even attempting to make the transition is simply an attempt to improve whatever trade value Bradberry has left.

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