Eagles' best-case scenario for defense is as clear as day in 2025

The brightest spot for the Philadelphia Eagles winning the Super Bowl in 2024 was the number one-ranked defense in the NFL that dominated throughout the season.

They were the only unit that allowed less than 300 yards per game and held all four of their postseason opponents right at or below their average points per game on offense. Philadelphia took a hit on their defense with guys like Josh Sweat, Milton Williams, Darius Slay, Brandon Graham, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, James Bradberry, and Avonte Maddox walking out the door in the offseason.

Despite those losses, young players like Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Nolan Smith Jr., Zack Baun, Nakobe Dean, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Reed Blankenship are all expected to step up and carry the defense for the next three to five years. That would be the best-case scenario at best, according to Bleacher Report writer Alex Ballentine.

"It's a testament to the incredible depth that Howie Roseman has built that the Eagles landed at the No. 2 spot in our post-draft defensive power rankings.

Sure, the unit just won a Super Bowl, but they also lost Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Avonte Maddox.

A dramatic downturn would be surprising given the returning talent, though. Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean make it easy to like the secondary while Jalen Carter could be the best interior defensive lineman in the league next season.

The Eagles are somehow both dominant and young. The ingredients are there to bonce again field a championship-caliber defense."

The Eagles don't need to sweat their defensive performance in 2025

Yes, let's start by acknowledging how well Roseman has built this defense over the last five years. Nine of the projected 11 starters in the unit were drafted by Roseman. Baun and Blankenship were not, but technically, Blankenship was signed as an undrafted free agent to the Eagles.

Much credit needs to go to Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio for figuring out which players would do best in each position. Fangio is bringing out the athleticism and speed from this defense that haven't been seen in an Eagles defense in a while.

There are question marks with new projected starters like Moro Ojomo, Jalyx Hunt, and Sydney Brown, but all three have been in Fangio's system for a year now, so that's an advantage for them. Those three have learned from the best and are perfect fits for the Eagles' scheme.

All Eagles fans are aware of the capabilities of the defense and the damage it can inflict. It's all about putting it together and replicating what they did in 2024.