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Eagles are rolling through OTAs with a ticking time bomb of a decision

Originally posted on Inside the Iggles
By Anthony Miller | Last updated May 29, 2025 9:00 AM ET

One of the most significant changes to a position group for the Philadelphia Eagles occurred in the secondary, and some of those questions were answered on how they will look at OTAs.

During the offseason, the Eagles lost four key veterans to the secondary, with C.J. Gardner-Johnson being the only safety, as he was traded to the Houston Texans. The cornerbacks took a hit with the release of Darius Slay and James Bradberry by the team. Avonte Maddox was a free agent who signed with the Detroit Lions.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman and company have been focused on the youth movement in the secondary, with Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Reed Blankenship taking on a bigger role. There is some uncertainty about who will be the second safety starting, but one of the cornerback positions seems to be taking a life of its own.

Who will be the Eagles' starting cornerback on the right side?

Things are starting to heat up in a position battle that runs through training camp, but it all got started at OTAs between Adoree’ Jackson and Kelee Ringo. Jackson and Ringo will be looking to take the starting right cornerback position with Mitchell on the left side and DeJean as the nickel and could mix in at right cornerback as well.

Bleeding Green Eagles reporter Brandon Gowton reported that at OTAs, Ringo and Jackson split time in the secondary at right cornerback.

Kelee Ringo now in with the first team defense at RCB in place of Adoree’ Jackson. #Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) May 28, 2025

Gowton also noted that Ringo was leading the huddle in practice before the Eagles defensive back drills.

Kelee Ringo led the huddle ahead of an Eagles DB drill.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) May 28, 2025

Jackson is a veteran corner in the NFL, as the Tennessee Titans selected him in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. The 29-year-old has started 82 games in eight seasons with the Titans and New York Giants, batting down 61 passes and catching four interceptions. He's coming off a down season in New York, as he only started five of the 14 games he played in.

Ringo is not nearly as experienced, but he has a significant advantage over the other cornerbacks with his six-foot-two height. The Eagles selected Ringo in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft and have never missed a game. He's racked up 36 tackles, three pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and one interception in 34 regular season games.

Mitchell and DeJean are the undisputed starters at two of the cornerback positions, but Jackson and Ringo will decide the other one. Nothing will be determined at OTAs but the race for the third starting cornerback position is just getting started.

This article first appeared on Inside the Iggles and was syndicated with permission.

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