Over the first eight weeks of the 2026 season, it's been clear that this Philadelphia Eagles team is very different from what fans have seen over the last five years because of how bad they are. That doesn't mean every player has fallen short of expectations, with Exhibit A being Quinyon Mitchell.
The Eagles' defense has gone through some shocking growing pains, struggling to get to the quarterback, stop the run, and keep explosive plays out of the secondary. This unit is 27th in total defense (367.3 yards allowed per game), 25th in pass defense (235.4 yards allowed per game), 28th in run defense (131.9 yards allowed per game), and 21st in points allowed per game (25.3).
It's been one of the NFL's biggest mysteries this season: what happened to a top-10 defense over the last two seasons? At least Mitchell is playing like a beast in the secondary.
Quinyon Mitchell has been once again having another great season despite the Eagles chaos
Mitchell is proving himself as one of the NFL's elite cornerbacks, even if his Eagles defense isn't playing well. He has racked up 38 tackles, eight pass deflections, two tackles for loss, and his first career interception in eight games. His coverage skills have been about average over the last two years, with a passer rating of 69.2 and a completion percentage of 54, while allowing a career-best 10.6 yards per reception.
Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 67.9, ranking him 28th out of 102 eligible cornerbacks. He also has a coverage grade of 67.2 (ranked 29th) and a run defense grade of 65.4 (ranked 44th).
Mitchell's numbers would have been better if it weren't for one play in the Week 8 blowout loss to the Washington Commanders. He got burned on a 53-yard pass to Commanders wide receiver Treylon Burks. As NBC Sports Philly's Dave Zangaro explains, that play detracted from Mitchell's dominant season.
"Quinyon Mitchell this season has given up just 27 catches on 50 targets for 293 yards, per @NextGenStats. That means that the 53-yard catch he gave up to Treylon Burks last week accounts for 18% of the yardage he has given up all season."
Quinyon Mitchell this season has given up just 27 catches on 50 targets for 293 yards, per @NextGenStats
— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroNBCS) November 5, 2026
That means that the 53-yard catch he gave up to Treylon Burks last week accounts for 18% of the yardage he has given up all season.
Eagles are just wasting a great Quinyon Mitchell season
It's really a shame Mitchell's season is being wasted by a defense that hasn't played particularly well. That has actually affected the numbers he's put up because Mitchell could have had an even better season.
Guys like Cooper DeJean and Riq Woolen aren't playing up to their usual standards. That is especially true for DeJean, who has struggled in coverage and has missed far more tackles than fans are used to. Woolen is getting to the point where he is borderline a liability in coverage.
Speaking of coverage liabilities, the Eagles' safeties have been the worst part of this defense after a great preseason and training camp. Andrew Mukuba is developing somewhat, but still makes way too many mistakes in coverage. Michael Carter has been the best in that group, as Kenny Moore II is still getting used to playing safety, and Marcus Epps is still getting cut out to be a starter at this point in his career.
The Eagles' front seven deserves the blame for their first-half struggles, with no pass rush coming off the edge and the run defense not being great. Jonathan Greenard has been a massive disappointment with injuries, and Jalen Carter has battled through a wrist injury that has made him good, but not great.
Read more: Eagles shouldn't ignore Moro Ojomo trade offers (even if an NFC East team calls)
Hope is fading for the Eagles this season, but Mitchell has been one of the few bright spots in what has been a horrendous season. He could play his way into at least a Pro Bowl selection and should be considered for All-Pro selection, but the team's performance will probably get in the way.
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