‘Trickle Down of Other Positions’

The young and talented Philadelphia Eagles defense is not without questions in the 2026 offseason.

On the latest episode of “Inside The Birds,” Geoff Mosher and Adam Caplan discussed the upcoming major defensive decisions.

GETTY IMAGES: The Philadelphia Eagles need to figure out the long-term spot for Cooper DeJean.

Cooper DeJean

Geoff Mosher: “This is now year three he’s going into. He has excelled at nickel, was drafted to play outside corner.”

Adam Caplan: “This to me sets up their entire offseason in the secondary because he impacts corner, nickel, and safety. It impacts Michael Carter II even having a chance to return. If they move DeJean to safety or corner, Carter can come back on a reduced deal…It’s the trickle down of the other positions.”

Defensive Tackles

Mosher: “They know they can’t pay three or four linemen top money. So if they’re going to pay (Jalen) Carter and Jordan Davis, it’s going to be tough to pay (Moro) Ojomo.”

Caplan: “Davis and Carter are more likely to get a contract earlier, but if they’re struggling to get them done and they can get Ojomo done early and get him at a good number, why would you not do it?”

Jaelan Phillips

Caplan: “I would be very surprised if they don’t try to bring back Phillips hard, but it comes to what’s the number? He did a good job, stayed healthy, length, character…But you have to be careful. You can’t be paying seven guys at the top of the market.”

Mosher: “The Eagles will want to keep Jaelan Phillips, but they were not busy with big contracts in free agents last offseason. So they have to figure out if they are going to be this year.”

Jihaad Campbell

Mosher: “You can’t sit him for too much longer.”

Caplan: “He has to play, but we’ll learn at the combine if they even make Nakobe Dean an offer.”

– Benjamin Paul is a staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.