The Philadelphia Eagles have always felt like an unstable team, but that description may not have been more accurate for safety Andrew Mukuba. A second-round pick in last year’s draft, Mukuba’s rookie season was up and down, making a pair of interceptions and graduating from Vic Fangio’s onboarding process, but suffering a season-ending ankle injury that stunted his momentum.
Despite the inconsistencies, Mukuba is already trending up this offseason. While the departures of Reed Blankenship and Sydney Brown have created an opportunity, so have comments by Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, which may have put some wind in his sails as he heads into April.
“I think it starts with using our second-round pick on Mukuba,” Roseman said of the safety position during this week’s NFL annual meetings in Phoenix via Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia. “See a lot of growth from first to second year and expect that from him. Really excited about him. I think we have some guys that either we brought back or that we signed that we have confidence in that can play the position. Again, I go back to the original thing, we don’t play for a long time.”
Andrew Mukuba Could Be Cleared for Takeoff Given Eagles’ Offseason Moves
Roseman’s comments are fuel to the fire when it comes to Mukuba’s opportunity. While Mukuba played in 11 games and started 10, he dealt with the growing pains that come with being a rookie. Fangio also held Mukuba to a high standard, citing Bud Grant’s philosophy of adding a loss for every game a rookie plays. However, Mukuba later won him over late in the year, with Fangio declaring, “he’s not a rookie anymore.”
A solid performance followed with 46 total tackles, two tackles for loss, a pair of interceptions, and three pass defenses. He was strong against the run, recording an 81.0 grade and 14 run stops in 238 snaps according to Pro Football Focus. But while his coverage (49.9 grade) and tackling (12.8% missed tackle rate) need improvement, he should at least get the opportunity to continue to figure it out on Sundays.
The Eagles brought back Marcus Epps and will likely use Michael Carter II after agreeing to a pay cut before free agency. Andre’ Sam and Brandon Johnson are likely special teamers at free safety, which could leave Mukuba as the player with the most upside at the position in the weeks leading up to the draft.
The draft could be an important data point for Mukuba, as Roseman admitted they will add a safety in the coming weeks. But even if the Eagles use a pick on Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman or Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren early, that player is likely to be playing alongside Mukuba rather than competing for his job.
For his part, Mukuba needs to stay on the field and improve in the areas he struggled with last season. If he can do that, the seas are parting for him to play and make a big impact for the Eagles in 2026.