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After losing Jaelan Phillips, Reed Blankenship, and Nakobe Dean, the strength of this defense will be at cornerback. Philadelphia has gone from uncertainty at cornerback to being absolutely loaded after landing Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen on a one-year deal worth up to $15 million. The move allows Cooper DeJean to remain a versatile weapon, while Michael Carter II could see snaps at safety, and it allows the Birds to keep Jakorian Bennett and Kelee Ringo in reserve roles.
The Eagles' revamped defense will give some of the top passing offenses a run for their money, matching up with outside pass catchers and in the slot. Woolen possesses unmatched measurables for a cornerback as he's tall, athletic, physical, fast, and has top-flight ball skills. Even more impressive, he produced the second-highest lockdown percentage (65%) in the NFL this past season. According to NBC Sports Philadelphia and Sharp Football, the Eagles used man coverage on 24.5% of their snaps last season. That ranked 12th in the NFL, whereas the Seahawks' man usage (15.2%) ranked 27th.
They've yet to play a game together, but at some point, the biggest question will be whether Philadelphia can realistically keep all three elite defenders on long-term extensions.
In borrowing from a recent Denver Post article, the Eagles have their own 'Champagne Problems' at the cornerback position. A phrase used to describe trivial, first-world, or "high-class" grievances, the Eagles have amassed the best cornerback trio in the NFL, and if they all play well, they'll seek elite compensation.
Woolen is on a one-year, $15 million prove-it deal, but after hearing Vic Fangio rave about the young cornerback, the hope is that Woolen can become a long-term fixture. Playing on a one-year deal, Woolen could put himself in line for $20 million per season with an outstanding debut, and if he were to depart in 2027 free agency, it would set Philadelphia up again for a run on compensatory picks to help restock the roster in free agency.
Since entering the league in 2022, Woolen's 8 interceptions in man coverage rank 3rd according to ESPN Analytics / NFL Next Gen Stats. Although reckless at times, Woolen possesses unmatched measurables for a cornerback, ranking in the top percentile in height (6-foot-4), arm length (34 inches), and speed (4.26-second 40-yard dash).
DeJean would appear to be next on the list, and because he slipped to round two of the 2024 NFL Draft, Philadelphia doesn't have the fifth-year option to keep the star slot cornerback under its control for an extra year, and he's set to enter year three of a four-year, $9.28 million rookie deal. An All-Pro and dynamic player, DeJean should smash the 3-year, $40 million contract signed by Chicago Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon in April 2025.
Then there's Quinyon Mitchell, who'll benefit the most from the Rams and Chiefs trade that sent Trent McDuffie to Los Angeles. Just hours from the NFL's new league year beginning, the Rams reached an agreement to acquire the All-Pro cornerback from Kansas City, trading the 29th overall pick and additional selections to the Chiefs.
Even before the trade became official, the Rams gave McDuffie a record four-year, $124 million extension with $100 million guaranteed, a deal that could push Mitchell past $34 million per season. Patriots star Christian Gonzalez is eligible, and he'll have a shot at resetting the market, along with the Seahawks Devon Witherspoon.
McDuffie, 25, was a first-round pick by the Chiefs in 2022. He became an All-Pro in 2023 and has recorded three career interceptions. This season, he is scheduled to earn $13.6 million in the final year of his rookie contract. McDuffie would strengthen a secondary that was a significant weakness in 2025. More importantly, Rams general manager Les Snead has a proven track record of successful cornerback trades, including the 2019 acquisition of Jalen Ramsey, which contributed to their Super Bowl victory.
The move will have a trickle-down impact on Philadelphia, with the Rams scheduled to face the Eagles in 2026. Even more important, McDuffie's pending contract extension could provide the backdrop for Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean to shatter or reset the market in 2027, when both players are eligible for contract extensions.
Already named to his first Pro Bowl, Mitchell and DeJean are now Al-Pros. According to Next Gen Stats, Quinyon Mitchell led all NFL cornerbacks in catch rate allowed (42.4%) and average target separation (1.8) (min. 60 targets). He also ranked 2nd among cornerbacks in tight windows forced (41.2%), behind Pat Surtain II (41.3%), and YAC per reception allowed (2.3), trailing only Keisean Nixon (2.3) (min. 35 receptions). In addition, Mitchell finished 3rd at his position in both passer rating allowed (63.4), behind Derek Stingley (57.9) and Joey Porter Jr. (61.5), and 3rd in forced incompletions (16, tied), trailing only Riley Moss (21) and A.J. Terrell (18). He was the only CB to not give up a TD in 600+ coverage snaps.
Can the Eagles afford to have two cornerbacks each making north of $30 million and another over $20 million come 2027? According to Over The Cap, the Browns are the only team with two cornerbacks among the top 10 highest paid, based on average annual salary: Denzel Ward, $20.1 million, and Tyson Campbell, $19.1 million. The Colts have Sauce Gardner at $30.1 million per season and Charvarius Ward at $18 million per season. Philadelphia signed Jordan Davis and still has decisions to make on Jalen Carter and Moro Ojomo, while Zack Baun's contract becomes a topic of discussion if his play drops off at all in 2026. According to Over The Cap, Philadelphia adjusted Zack Baun's contract structure to create future salary cap flexibility and a potential post-June 1 release option in 2028.
Baun signed a three-year, $51 million contract with Philadelphia last offseason after emerging as one of the NFL's top defensive playmakers under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. The deal included $34 million in fully guaranteed compensation, highlighted by a $15.58 million signing bonus. Baun will earn $16,750,000 million guaranteed in 2026, with a $7,588,000 cap hit. Baun's cap hit rises to $11,849,000 in 2027 and to $10,644,000 in 2028, with no guarantees in either, and the Eagles retain the right to convert $15.5 million into an option bonus to further manipulate future cap hits if needed.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Can Eagles afford elite CB trio beyond 2027? Big decisions loom
