Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio enters his thirty ninth season as an NFL coach and may have the most versatile player he has ever coached in cornerback, or nickel, or safety Cooper DeJean.
DeJean's intelligence and athleticism make him one of the most important players on last year's top ranked defense.
Linebacker Zach Baun joined Fangio's defense last year and became a finalist for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award.
"He knows what you do well and he puts you in the best positions to help the defense," Baun said. "He has an understanding of the big picture and how you fit in. You have to trust in his vision and we do."
Fangio's goal has always been to get the best eleven players on the field.
DeJean played cornerback and nickel in college at Iowa and has taken snaps in the preseason at cornerback, nickel (slot), and safety.
In 2024, NFL offenses played with 11 Personnel or three receivers on the field over 60% of the time. As a rookie, DeJean played 90% of his snaps at Nickel, had his first NFL pick six off Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl, and was a finalist for the Rookie of the Year Award.
DeJean's role in 2025 will be dependent on the play of the other defensive backs. Quinyon Mitchell and Safety Reed Blankenship are locked for now. Keep an eye on rookies Mac McWilliams and Andrew Mukuba.
If McWilliams can play sticky man coverage at Nickel, DeJean can help elsewhere. If Mukuba and Sydney Brown can't lock down the second Safety spot, DeJean can move there. If Fangio can't lock down the corner opposite Mitchell with Adoree Jackson, Kelee Ringo, or Jakorian Bennett, DeJean can move outside.
DeJean says the key to his relationship with Fangio is trust.
"Vic puts us in the right position to make plays," DeJean said. "Wherever he decides to play me on a certain down, that's going to work. I have trust in him because he has trust in me. That is what he's all about."
Head coach Nick Sirianni trusts that Fangio and DeJean will propel the Eagles back to the Super Bowl, anchored by another top ranked defense.