Eagles' Cooper DeJean knows exactly how rare he is but refuses to let his head get too big

Philadelphia Eagles elite secondary room is one that sticks out with Iowa Hawkeyes product Cooper DeJean leading the pack. 

And while, everyone is thinking it, nobody really wants to come out and directly say it. 

That's why Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith said it for everyone during his annual celebrity softball tournament. 

"I don't want to say it, but I'm gonna say it: He's a white guy playing DB," Smith told reporters. "Doesn't happen often...so when it does happen everybody loves it."

In fact, it's such a rare sight that DeJean became the first white cornerback to start an NFL game in over 20 years last fall during his rookie year, and he didn’t disappoint.

He turned heads, holding his own in the slot and finishing with 51 tackles, three picks, and a forced fumble. His outstaning season landed him as a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Now, entering his second season, the Eagles still like him in the slot, but they’re also planning to cross-train him at outside corner and safety to expand his role. That will be a lot to take on, but DeJean’s already proven he’s more than capable of handling whatever Philly throws his way.

And while he’s garnered plenty of attention from Philly fans and beyond, he’s tuning out the noise and staying locked in on what lies ahead in 2025.

“I’m still continuing to work, and to try and be the best I can be at my job,” DeJean told CBSSports' Jeff Kerr. “There are a lot of things I can get better at coming off of last season, that I can be ready for this season. And those are the things that I’ve been working on this offseason. Becoming stronger, faster, being more comfortable out on the field, and working my techniques. I don’t think it’s changed me as a person at all.”