Eagles DC Vic Fangio making much-needed change on defense following bye week

With the Eagles’ defense underperforming through four weeks, key changes are expected following the bye week.

Second-year safety Sydney Brown is on track to rejoin the team soon after rehabbing from a torn ACL, but all eyes are on rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean.

The No. 40 overall pick is ‘closing in’ on the starting nickel role, according to defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, and it’s only a matter of time before he takes over.

Vic Fangio says Cooper DeJean is ‘closing in’ on being ready to play the nickel.

— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) October 1, 2024

“Cooper is closing in on being ready where we just, at some point, we’ll put him out there,” Fangio said when he addressed the media on Tuesday.

The Eagles head into their next game with a 2-2 record after getting torn apart by Tampa Bay in a 33-16 beatdown. The Buccaneers’ quick, precise passing game exposed the Eagles’ secondary, racking up 445 yards of offense and 29 first downs.

“They came out throwing, obviously, and throwing quick,” Fangio said. “We weren’t close enough. We played a lot more man in those first three series than we usually do, or we were in some tight matchup zones, and we just didn’t play it good enough. Their pass offense was better than our pass defense.”

Fangio knows benching Avonte Maddox for DeJean isn’t a cure-all for his defense, but it’s a move in the right direction. There’s a clear sense that change is needed — and quickly.

“Avonte has played fine in some areas and obviously he’s had some plays that he’d like to have back. Like all of us, including me,” said Fangio. “But yeah, [DeJean is] getting better.”

DeJean, who has played just eight defensive snaps this year, has also taken over as punt returner following Britain Covey’s injury. Adding nickel duties to his plate could be overwhelming, but this defense badly needs a spark.

Cooper DeJean might be the answer.

I have watched this play over 20 times in various speeds and I still don’t know how Avonte Maddox didn’t make this tackle. pic.twitter.com/La7mugBXZU

— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) September 30, 2024

Mandatory Credit: ESPN