PHILADELPHIA — Eagles star Cooper DeJean is having a down yr on the worst doable time.
DeJean was anticipated to play his manner into an enormous contract extension, however his efficiency this season might lose him cash.
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Until DeJean regains his elite kind over the subsequent two months, he would possibly obtain much less cash on his extension in comparison with the opposite prime younger NFL defensive backs. Elite cornerbacks and safeties are making $25-plus million every season, and DeJean isn’t enjoying as much as that price ticket.
Within the Eagles’ 25-14 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, DeJean missed three tackles and likewise surrendered three catches for 51 yards and one landing, per Professional Soccer Focus.
DeJean has struggled with run assist and tackling after the catch, lacking 13 tackles through the first six weeks of the season. He led the league in missed tackles (10) coming into Week 6.
The Eagles’ protection wanted to be excellent to upset the Panthers, however DeJean made errors, and different defenders gave up large performs, too.
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“Yeah, I do not know,” DeJean stated after the sport about why he is struggling to sort out this season. “I simply received to search out methods to get guys down. A part of it’s completely different angles, the place I am hitting the fellows. However I’ve little question that I’ll proceed to work on that and repair that.”
The Eagles want DeJean to overlook fewer tackles and be extra sound in protection for the protection to play at an elite degree.
DeJean earned 2025 first-team All-Professional honors after a dominant season, however he has taken a giant step again from the place he was final yr.
The Eagles are asking him to play extra at security, which might clarify a few of his struggles.
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“Yeah, yeah, completely different place, however that is probably not an excuse to make use of,” DeJean stated about lacking just a few tackles whereas enjoying security. “I nonetheless received to have the ability to sort out higher and get guys to the bottom.”
With 6:39 remaining within the fourth quarter, the Panthers put away the Eagles by scoring another landing, and DeJean gave the impression to be at fault.
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Panthers tight finish Tommy Tremble ran previous DeJean and caught a 19-yard landing move behind the tip zone. DeJean stated Tremble was broad open as a result of there was a miscommunication within the secondary.
Cornerback Riq Woolen was additionally in DeJean’s space.
“I do not assume I’ve ever misplaced this many video games in any sport I’ve performed in a row,” DeJean stated. “So it is fairly irritating.”
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