While the Philadelphia Eagles are in good standing at 8-4, they still have several problems that need to be addressed. With the Dallas Cowboys charging hard in the NFC East standings, the Eagles have identity issues on offense, but also a big hole at the cornerback position.
Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean are a solid duo to lead the Eagles' defense. However, despite the acquisitions of Jakorian Bennett and Michael Carter II, there are still some disappointments in Adoree’ Jackson and Kelee Ringo.
It was assumed that the Eagles would drag both corners to the finish line as they play the final five games of the regular season and gear up for a postseason appearance. But the Eagles may have gotten an excuse to move on from one of them when NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers have waived Darius Slay.
With previous experience in Philadelphia and a desire to keep playing, according to fellow NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport, the Eagles could pursue a reunion with Slay ahead of the final stretch. But that would also require creating a roster spot, likely between Ringo and Jackson. If everything comes to fruition, the Eagles would have to make a choice, and it’s more than likely that Ringo should be the one sweating it out.
Kelee Ringo Could Be Odd Man Out if Eagles Reunite with Darius Slay
Ringo and Jackson have been attached at the hip throughout the 2025 season. Ringo was a fourth-round pick by the Eagles in the 2023 draft, and many felt like he should have gone higher based on his collegiate career at Georgia. While he hadn’t become a full-time starter in the first two years, this year presented the best chance to do so in part due to Slay’s departure to Pittsburgh.
Of course, that brought some competition when the Eagles signed Jackson to a one-year deal back in March. A former first-round pick by the Tennessee Titans, Jackson had entered journeyman mode in recent years and was supposed to be a house of cards for Ringo to topple on the way to a starting role.
What the Eagles didn’t see coming was that both corners would struggle. According to Pro Football Focus, Jackson has allowed 30 receptions for 351 yards and two touchdowns with four pass breakups on 48 targets this season. But Ringo hasn’t capitalized, allowing 11 catches for 172 yards with a pass breakup on 19 targets.
Slay hasn’t fared much better, allowing 28 catches for 396 yards and three touchdowns with three pass breakups on 40 targets for the Steelers this season. But he’d be a veteran who knows his place in Vic Fangio’s system.
While Jackson has underperformed, he at least can be trusted to do what needs to be done. Slay falls into the same category, and with Bennett and Carter being more recent acquisitions, it feels like Ringo is not part of the Eagles’ long-term plans.
That could mean Ringo is the odd man out if the Eagles reunite with Slay.