Surprise Defender Helping Solve Eagles' Biggest Weakness This Offseason

After a disappointing 2023 season, the Philadelphia Eagles made it a priority to upgrade their secondary. The Eagles signed C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free agency to a multi-year deal and used their first two draft picks on cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.

Gardner-Johnson, Mitchell, and DeJean will likely play a significant role in Vic Fangio’s defense this coming season. However, there’s another cornerback Philadelphia signed last season, who has shined in offseason workouts and could get extra playing time in 2024.

Isaiah Rodgers Sr. was suspended for the 2023 season after he violated the NFL’s gambling policy. But that didn’t deter the Eagles from signing Rodgers last summer after the Indianapolis Colts waived him.

ESPN’s Tim McManus wrote that the 26-year-old cornerback “has not shown much rust this offseason” and received some work with the first-team at outside cornerback. Rodgers has also reportedly split time with second-year cornerback Kelee Ringo. Here’s more from McManus:

"“Rodgers opened some eyes during an OTA practice in late May when he broke on a short pass from Jalen Hurts and swooped in for the interception. "For a guy that has not played football for a year, coming back, he looks like he has been playing nonstop," A.J. Brown said. "He's flying around, and he's going to do special stuff for us this year." It will be a fascinating competition for the starting spot opposite Darius Slay Jr. this summer, with Rodgers, Ringo and rookie first-round pick Quinyon Mitchell all vying for the spot.”"

If Rodgers can carry his momentum from spring workouts into training camp and the preseason that will bode well for him and the Eagles’ defense. With James Bradberry getting reps at safety, the Eagles are seemingly having an open competition for the CB2 spot.

Mitchell should be considered the frontrunner on paper as he was a first-round pick, but Ringo and Rodgers’ experience will loom large on how everything plays out. Rodgers was coming off a solid 2022 season before being suspended by the NFL in 2023.

During that season, the former sixth-round pick produced 34 combined tackles, three pass deflections, a tackle for loss, and a forced fumble in 15 games. Rodgers also started in nine games, which was a career-high. 

The 5-foot-10 cornerback posted a 58.6% completion percentage allowed on targets, a 113 pass rating allowed when targeted, and gave up three touchdowns. Rodgers might not be a household name, but that could change with a great training camp and preseason.

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