Overview
- Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio announced the shift on May 21, 2026, saying DeJean will start at safety in base personnel while still sliding to the slot as the Eagles’ nickel defender.
- The plan stems from recent roster moves, including the one‑year signing of Riq Woolen to play boundary corner in base sets and the departures of Reed Blankenship and Sydney Brown, which left a vacancy in the secondary.
- Marcus Epps, who re‑signed on a one‑year deal, is the early frontrunner for the complementary safety job next to Drew Mukuba, but Michael Carter II, Andre’ Sam, J.T. Gray and several rookies will press him in the competition.
- DeJean has elite slot credentials — a first‑team All‑Pro selection and a Super Bowl pick‑six — but he has logged only a handful of deep safety snaps, so the team will cross‑train him and evaluate in practice and preseason work.
- Because the Eagles played base only about 25% of snaps in 2025, DeJean is likely to remain on the field mainly as the nickel in most games, and the switch could affect playing time, contract leverage and how Fangio deploys the secondary week to week.