Heading into the Week 4 clash against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the biggest question mark surrounding the Philadelphia Eagles was the secondary. Adoree' Jackson and Jakorian Bennett were dealing with injuries and forced to sit out on Sunday, which meant that Kelee Ringo would get his first start of the season.
The visit to Tampa was seen as a chance for Ringo to take over as the starting corner opposite Quinyon Mitchell going forward. However, playing his first defensive snaps of the season, Ringo failed to make the most of the opportunity and put together an underwhelming performance.
With Ringo, Jackson and Bennett failing to outright win this job, Philly is now forced to bring in outside help to find its true CB answer as the calendar turns to October.
Kelee Ringo's Inability to Tackle Means Eagles Need a True CB2
Ringo looked physically overmatched in his starter audition, getting stiff-armed on a number of occasions before finishing the game with three missed tackles, per PFF. His inability to tackle in the open field was a liability throughout the game for the Eagles, who were fortunately able to stave off a furious Bucs comeback in the second half.
Ringo is a capable depth option at cornerback, and he is passable in coverage. The tackling and the lack of physicality, however, continue to be a problem.
That is why the Eagles need to consider bringing reinforcements to the cornerback rotation. Jackson's struggles were already a big problem; in the 123 defensive snaps the former Giants defender had played this season, he had received a miserable 42.7 defensive grade on Pro Football Focus. Now Bennett is on the injured reserve list, and Ringo has proven once again that he is not ready to start.
One obvious name still available as a free agent is Stephon Gilmore. He had 15 starts for the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, showing he still has some left in the tank to be a starting corner. The former Defensive Player of the Year did give up a career-high 94.1 passer rating while in coverage last season, along with 52 completions and 596 yards, but his experience playing at the NFL's highest level on both a personal and team level make him an appealing option still.
Meanwhile, Seattle Seahawks corner Riq Woolen is generating trade buzz as the trade deadline draws closer. Though he's had some struggles and is due for a pay day, he's an athletic playmaker Howie Roseman wouldn't think twice about trading for if it helps his team win another ring.
The Eagles are lucky to be 4-0 after the first four weeks of the season, but they should not be complacent about their perfect record because Vic Fangio's defense is nowhere near where it was last season. Darius Slay and Isaiah Rodgers, who were big parts of this team's secondary last season, are no longer here, and the Eagles tried to make do with their current crop of cornerbacks. It's time they see the writing on the wall and get a true CB2 before the Nov. 4 trade deadline.