Iggles Blitz

by Tommy Lawlor

Dominant Defense?

Posted May 3rd, 2026 | No Comments »

The Eagles won the Super Bowl in 2024 in large part due to a dominant defense that was first in the league in yards allowed and second in points allowed. The defense was erratic early in 2025, but came alive after the Jaelan Phillips trade. That unit finished fifth in the league in points allowed.

The outlook for 2026 is good, very good. You can make an argument that the Eagles have the best trio of corners in the league (Mitchell, DeJean, Woolen). You can make an argument they have the best trio of DTs in the league (Carter, Davis, Ojomo). They have a good set of pass rushers (Greenard, Smith, Hunt, Ebiketie). The LBs are very talented and good playmakers (Baun, Campbell). The weak spot is safety, where Drew Mukuba and Marcus Epps are the projected starters.

I don’t see safety as a weak spot so much as just unproven. We haven’t seen Mukuba and Epps play much together. Mukuba is the cover guy and playmaker. Epps is the hitter and tackler. Both know the system and should work well together. Vic Fangio isn’t going to put out safeties that he’s not comfortable with. He wanted Mukuba in the draft and has said good things about Epps. Trust Vic.

There shouldn’t be a slow start on defense this year. Campbell and Mukuba are in Year 2 so they should be more comfortable and effective. One of the keys will be keeping Jalen Carter healthy. He only played in 11 games last year and was limited in others due to a nagging shoulder injury. If he gets back to his healthy 2024 form, look out. He’ll likely be fired up in hopes of getting a contract extension. Smith was hampered by an injury last year and that limited his effectiveness. He should be good this time around.

The Eagles have good depth. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka gives them a big edge to compete for a spot. Rookie Keyshawn James-Newby is undersized, but explosive. One of them should make the team. Ty Robinson is a player the team is high on. He needs to take a step forward this year to be more disruptive when he’s on the field. Byron Young needs to work on his run defense, especially anchoring against double teams. Jeremiah Trotter Jr gives the team a good #3 LB. Michael Carter can play nickel or safety. Jonathan Jones is a veteran DB who can play nickel or outside. Mac McWilliams is in Year 2 and needs to show good progress.

Cole Wisniewski can push for a starting spot or be good depth. Check out this quote in regard to scheme fit in Fangio’s system.

“He’s one of the godfathers of the two-high and shell system, and I’ve played in the shell system for my entire college career…

“Looking forward to the next level, I thought ‘Vic Fangio’s system would be a really good system for me’… and so being able to come to the source is awesome.”

Thank you to Jimmy Bama for getting that quote. Doesn’t sound like a typical rookie. Wisniewski is older and that maturity shows. He will do everything he can to get on the field and find a role for this team.

It feels like Howie has given Fangio all the right pieces. Maybe they decide to add a veteran safety. Maybe they decide to add a veteran DT to the mix for depth. But the players in place now can be one of the best defenses in the league. They have the right combination of experience, talent and returning players. The key to good defense is for all 11 guys to be on the same page. Woolen and Greenard are the only new guys to the scheme. Greenard will fit in easily because of his role. Woolen has to learn how the Eagles like to cover schematically. The good news is that he’s got the speed to make up for some of the mistakes he’ll make.

I’m excited to see this group in action. They could be special.

*****

One of the things that helped the 2024 defense to play at such a high level was the Eagles offense. They were able to sustain drives and keep the defense off the field. Obviously that wasn’t the case last year and it put added pressure on the defense.

If the OL is healthy this season, the offense should do a better job of sustaining drives. That means more rest for the defense. That means more time with the coaches to make adjustments. Let’s hope the offense is greatly improved so it will benefit the defense…and be much less painful for us to watch.

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