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The Philadelphia Eagles have made a big commitment. It’s just not a commitment to longevity. It’s a commitment to youth. Another move toward that roadmap specifically in the secondary was made this week when the Eagles traded wide receiver John Metchie III and a six-round draft selection (2027) for New York Jets Cornerback Michael Carter II as well as a seventh-round pick (2027.) The addition of Carter makes the Eagles secondary one of the youngest in the NFL with Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Reed Blankenship, and rookie safety Andrew Mukuba.
Selected in the fifth round of the NFL Draft (2021) by New York — the 5 foot 10 one hundred eighty-four pound Carter. In September of 2024 —New York signed Carter to a three–year ($30.75) million contract extension that includes ($13.61) million in guaranteed money. The result was that he became the highest paid slot cornerback in the entire National Football League.
For the Eagles — last season was the first time in modern NFL playoff history — that a team with two rookie starting defensive backs has reached the playoffs and, perhaps — a Super Bowl appearance. This year is also the first time in the thirty-two years of the Eagles franchise’s existence that two rookie defensive backs have been nominated for the AP Rookie of the Year in the same season.
This season — Mukuba — who was the last rookie to sign a four-year contract worth $7,160,538, including $4,196,063 guaranteed money.The prospect of starting Mukuba is that his combination with Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell would make the Eagles’ defensive backfield one of the youngest starting in the NFL. He joins that Eagles secondary that was the only team in NFL history to start two rookie defensive backs in the Conference Championship Game and subsequently — the Super Bowl.
The Eagles aren’t disillusioned with the possibility of some growing pains in the defensive backfield. Last season — Mitchell and fellow rookie Cooper DeJean were the perfect compliment to Darius Slay and CJ Gardner-Johnson. So much so that Slay and Gardner-Johnson are now gone — and Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio trusts Mitchell as isolation on the opponent’s best receiver.
A commitment to a cohesive unit for years to come doesn’t come without the need for some patience. But if last season is any indication — this winter could be full of pleasant playoff surprises.
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