This season, what was once a strength for the Eagles has become one of their biggest weaknesses — the secondary.
Through five weeks, Philadelphia’s defensive backs were inconsistent, and in Week 6, they were fully exposed in the team’s 34–17 loss to the New York Giants.
Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, making just his third start, carved up the Eagles’ defense, completing 17 of 25 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown.
After Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell left the game in the first quarter with a hamstring injury, things quickly unraveled.
Despite missing their top two wide receivers (Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton), the Giants found plenty of success. Journeyman receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey caught five passes for 55 yards, while slot wideout Wan’Dale Robinson led New York with seven receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown.
Just a year ago, Philadelphia boasted arguably the NFL’s best secondary, anchored by Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Darius Slay at cornerback, with C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Reed Blankenship at safety. Even backup corner Isaiah Rodgers was reliable, performing well in five starts.
That depth vanished in the offseason. The Eagles released Slay, traded Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans, and let Rodgers walk in free agency. They replaced them with two unproven players and a declining veteran, and those decisions have backfired.
Opposing quarterbacks have routinely exploited cornerbacks Kelee Ringo, Adoree’ Jackson and rookie safety Andrew Mukuba.
On the Giants’ opening drive, Humphrey outmuscled Ringo for a 34-yard contested catch that set up a 20-yard touchdown run by Dart. On the next possession, Robinson beat Ringo for a 26-yard gain, slipping to the turf mid-play, then getting back up and running for extra yards after Ringo failed to touch him down.
Dart later connected with Robinson for a 35-yard touchdown after Mukuba took a poor angle, allowing Robinson to sprint free down the sideline. Mukuba finished with four receptions allowed for 66 yards and a TD.
Ringo’s struggles continued, surrendering a key third-down catch to Humphrey on New York’s final touchdown drive of the first half. In the fourth quarter, he drew a pass interference penalty on Jalin Hyatt in the end zone, setting up a one-yard, game-clinching touchdown by rookie running back Cam Skattebo.
“Kelee Ringo — Burger King. Just have it your way,” ESPN analyst Booger McFarland quipped on X.
If the Eagles had more depth, Ringo and Mukuba could develop behind established veterans instead of being forced into starting roles. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio could turn back to Jackson as the full-time starter, but he has allowed five catches for 160 yards across four games, including 103 yards in Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys.
Jackson’s tackling effort has also come under fire. Skattebo ran straight through his weak tackle attempt for a one-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
“Adoree’ Jackson, it’s time for you to retire,” former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy said on Speakeasy. “Because if you’re not going to play physical, if you’re not going to compete, if you’re going to tackle, it is football. Come on, it’s time to retire.”
Co-host Emmanuel Acho added, “Cam Skattebo checked Adoree’ Jackson’s man card, and it got declined.”
With the trade deadline approaching on Nov. 4, general manager Howie Roseman could look for secondary help. If the right move is made, Philadelphia’s once-elite secondary might just find its footing again.
The Eagles will need their defensive backs to rebound quickly against Minnesota’s elite wide receiver duo — Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison — next week and against the Giants in their Week 8 rematch at Lincoln Financial Field.
After the Week 9 bye, the team could make personnel changes at safety and cornerback, either through a trade or by promoting from within. Rookie cornerback Mac McWilliams or third-year CB Jakorian Bennett (once healthy) could get opportunities, while Marcus Epps and Sydney Brown may see increased snaps at safety.
Despite ranking 15th in pass defense — a number that could worsen each week — Ringo remains confident the group can improve, starting with himself.
“I didn’t play to my standard entirely,” Ringo said. “I feel like that’s not a secret. I’m not going to be delusional with myself and just say, I played the. ... You know what I mean? Like, you’re just being honest. And I feel like when you look in the mirror at night, man, that’s the best thing that you can’t do for yourself. You never want to lie to yourself and portray something to what it isn’t because you can’t get better that way.”
