You could see it building throughout his rookie season—the popularity growing, the sound of “Cooooooooppppp” every time he dropped back to return a punt, the perfect-form tackle of Baltimore running back Derrick Henry, the great play in the nickel position of the defense, and the pace of jersey sales in the Eagles’ Pro Shops—but then things absolutely exploded with Super Bowl LIX.
This was the dream scenario: On DeJean’s 22nd birthday, February 9, 2025, he intercepted a Patrick Mahomes pass and took it to the house for a touchdown as the Eagles blasted Kansas City in Super Bowl LIX and DeJean was instantly a national name. The second-round draft pick from Iowa lived the storybook scenario as the Eagles captured the Lombardi Trophy.
Things haven’t slowed down for DeJean since then as he continues to grow, mature, and gain more responsibility in the Eagles’ defense. He has handled everything thrown his way in recent months—all the fame, all the opportunities, all the asks.
And here is he piling on football hats as a safety, a nickel cornerback, and potentially an outside cornerback. In his second season, DeJean has earned trust from both coaching staff and organization to represent them well.
“I like it; it’s fine,” DeJean says after practice on Thursday when taken from fans seeking autographs and pictures with No. 33 to reporters ready with questions about playing multiple positions. “The fans are great. They’ve been really supportive. And this offseason I’ve done cool things—a couple of UFC fights or at Kentucky Derby—and I understand that they want closeness.”
“But I like interacting with everybody,” he adds.”I’m trying; I know where they’re coming from; hope they appreciate what I’m doing.”
They do—DeJean’s jersey sales are off charts while fans constantly snap pictures asking autographs; young standout quickly learns professionalism.
At forefront though lies profession—DeJean wants best help team win games:
“It is always football first,” said DeJean.”This what love doing.”
Eagles certainly love growth made by player such that Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio seeks ways getting him field more often last season finishing Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie Year finalist playing 627 snaps nickel allowing no touchdown passes coverage ranking third among league cornerbacks Pro Football Focus ranking 82.7 coverage saving best part outstanding four-game postseason course pick-six Super Bowl enhancing everything furthering now desire seeing more full healthy offseason preparing alongside Reed Blankenship safety base defense moving nickel bringing fifth defensive back possibly seeing reps cornerback expanding duties music ears just wanting helping win:
“It’s different perspective back there still kind getting used learning position,” said playing safety.”Trying comfortable coming along great competing loving trusting coaches putting right impacting defense”
DeJean most other defensive backs learn three positions spring summer never knowing game thrust odd spots producing cross-train coaches prepare scenarios loving challenge switching college knowing best putting fitting within learning techniques not playbook helps players better reps really helps rising handling smile admits offseason crazy attention success prepared moment enjoying bit tried enjoy take moment understand past new season focus winning matters nothing getting way young player taking Philadelphia storm approaching NFL work fun fans attitude professionalism wide receiver A.J Brown called All-Pro Coop appreciated shoutout giving something strive pushing high level matter day working towards pretty cool coming guy been All-Pro
