The Philadelphia Eagles' issues continued in Week 7, as they lost 38-21 to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football. This team has now dropped five straight games, and it appears the season is going down the drain.
The offense has been slammed with injuries and was short-handed there, so they needed the defense to step up. That wasn't the case, and cornerback Cooper DeJean's struggles trickled into this contest.
Entering the year, there was chatter that DeJean was in for a huge extension in the offseason, but that has slowed down. Based on how he's looked out there, the front office won't be running to pay him.
Eagles won't back the Brinks truck up for Cooper DeJean just yet
In the loss to Dallas, Dak Prescott looked in DeJean's direction, completing 3-of-4 for 53 yards, including a nine-yard touchdown to CeeDee Lamb. Prescott also had a 156.3 passer rating when targeting DeJean.
On the year, DeJean has allowed a 102.7 rating when targeted, which is up from a 79 passer rating in his first two years. According to Next Gen Stats, DeJean has given up 25 catches (41 targets) for 270 receiving yards and four touchdowns. His catch rate allowed over expected is -7.9 percent and forcing tight-window throws 14.6 percent of the time, which are career lows. He's also given up four yards of separation.
During the 2024 and 2025 seasons, he gave up 93 passes (145 targets) for 924 yards and one score. With 10 games left on the schedule, there's a good chance that DeJean will finish the year allowing more yards and touchdowns than he has in any other campaign.
Not only does he have issues in coverage, but his tackling has taken a step back as well. DeJean has missed 12 tackles and has a tackling grade of 36.9 on PFF.
DeJean's play as a whole has regressed in 2026, which is surprising. He was one of the best slot CBs in the NFL, which is why many believed he was in for a big payday. Yet, based on how things have played out so far, DeJean has cost him some money at the negotiating table.
It doesn't help him that Quinyon Mitchell is also up for an extension. This season, Mitchell has given up 24 catches (43 targets) for 228 yards with one touchdown and an interception. He's also forcing a tight-window throw on 20.9 percent of throws with 2.2 yards of separation.
Read more: Sean Mannion in Week 7 showed Eagles fans what they have wanted to see
Philadelphia will likely look to pay Mitchell first over DeJean, and his play on the field thus far in 2026 is a reason for that. The Eagles need more from DeJean going forward, and if he wants that lucrative payday, he knows he has to turn it up.
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