Eagles' Most Important Contract Decision Ahead of 2026 Season Is Cooper DeJean

NFL analyst Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report believes the Philadelphia Eagles' most important contract decision ahead of the 2026 season is Cooper DeJean.

DeJean is entering the final year of his rookie contract.

"DeJean is a difference-maker—a versatile chess piece on the back end of the defense who was named a first-team All-Pro last year after logging 93 total tackles and a pair of interceptions," Davenport wrote. 

The Eagles just signed Jalen Carter to a massive extension. Now, they have to take care of DeJean.

For the Eagles last season, DeJean had two interceptions, 16 passes defended, 64 solo tackles, four tackles for loss and one QB hit. He made his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro team. 

As a rookie, DeJean helped Philadelphia beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. He had a pick-six on Patrick Mahomes. 

The 23-year-old DeJean enters this season with 102 solo tackles, seven tackles for loss, two QB hits, two interceptions and 22 passes defended in the regular season. He's one of the best DBs in the NFL and the Eagles would be wise to take care of him contract-wise. 

While speaking to the media, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said he's aware that tough decisions will need to be made. Still, he's not about to let young, homegrown difference-makers walk out the door.

"You're going to have to make sacrifices," Roseman said. "You saw it in the offseason. We let players go that we care about, that we think are good players, that we think are really good people, that fit. But we had to move on because we have some game-changing players and people that are part of this organization and we don't intend to lose."

The Eagles' defense finished fifth in the NFL in scoring defense last season, giving up only 19.1 points per game. Philadelphia's 56.8% completion percentage allowed led the league, while its 75.4 passer rating ranked second. 

It was a very busy offseason for the Eagles, who traded A.J Brown to the New England Patriots, acquired Dontayvion Wicks from the Green Bay Packers, traded up for Makai Lemon on Day 1 of this year's draft and signed Hollywood Brown in free agency.   

The Eagles open the 2026 season against the Washington Commanders at home. DeJean and Co. lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the wild-card round of the 2025 playoffs.