The Philadelphia Eagles are flying high as defending champs. But even the mightiest aircraft can develop a worrying rattle. After opening night, a familiar specter haunts the defense, one that feels like a self-inflicted wound from a front office usually praised for its brilliance.
That noise grew louder when Eagles great Seth Joyner joined the WIP Morning Show. He didn’t hold back, pinpointing the exact source of the trouble. Joyner affirmed a growing fear among the fanbase, stating, “The left corner was the biggest mistake they made last year. I felt like Isaiah Rodgers was a guy they should have brought back.”
He specifically highlighted the decision to let Isaiah Rodgers walk in free agency. Instead, the Eagles opted for a youth movement, creating a glaring void. "But when Howie made the decision to go young, it was pretty evident Kelee Ringo and Eli Ricks were going to be the two guys to battle it out for that job. They felt like one of those guys would get the job done and then you have to bring in Adoree Jackson because you're not seeing throughout OTAs what you really want to see," Seth added.
This strategy has backfired spectacularly. The Eagles’ solution, veteran Adoree’ Jackson, was torched by the Dallas Cowboys. He surrendered 103 yards and looked a step behind all night. And the defensive game plan appeared hesitant and reactive.
Joyner saw this coming, warning that the targeted cornerback “better put his big boy pants on.” The experiment is already on thin ice after just one week. The front office’s activity since then confirms the concern.
They worked out veterans and added pass rusher Za'Darius Smith. But the crucial CB2 spot remains a question mark. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio stated Jackson would start against Kansas City, a decision that surprised many. This problem, however, is a direct result of a calculated risk by Howie Roseman. His philosophy of going “young and cheap” has now exposed a critical flaw.
A glaring what-if in Eagles defensive line
The protagonist of that decision is thriving in Minnesota. Rodgers, who Philadelphia let walk for a manageable $11 million deal, played every snap for the Vikings in Week 1. He was a key part of a defense that held Chicago to just 144 passing yards. His PFF grade of 73.2 last year would easily make him the Eagles' second-best corner now. The contrast is painfully clear.
Roseman’s bet on Kelee Ringo and Eli Ricks clearly did not pay off. The panic trade for Jakorian Bennett feels like a band-aid on a bullet wound. As Joyner bluntly put it, the team’s actions showed they were “really not happy with either one of these guys.” The lack of a reliable option has handcuffed Fangio’s scheme and made the entire defense vulnerable. So, where do the Eagles go from here?
The options are limited. They could promote from within or finally test Cooper DeJean outside. But each choice carries its own risk. This isn’t just about one position... it’s about a championship window. A shaky secondary can derail a season faster than any other flaw. The front office’s master plan has a crack, and every elite quarterback they face will aim right for it.
The Eagles are learning that some savings accounts come with excessively high interest rates. Roseman’s gamble has left the defense vulnerable, proving that sometimes the best move is keeping a known commodity. The season is a marathon, but this early stumble reveals a significant weakness.
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So the 1-0 Eagles fly to Kansas City with a new running back and the same old question: who covers the other side? If Jackson stumbles again, the honeymoon will end faster than a three-and-out at the Linc.