Vic Fangio, Philadelphia Eagles Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Forgotten Eagles DB surprisingly in the conversation at heated position in OTAs

Originally posted on Inside the Iggles
By Anthony Miller | Last updated Jun 4, 2025 7:00 AM ET

The competitions are starting to heat up at the Philadelphia Eagles OTAs as fans are getting a better idea of who will be competing at each position.

One of the most pivotal positions up for grabs is the safety position. Fans know that Reed Blankenship is going to be one of the starters. The other open safety position is the one to keep an eye on as it will be between Sydney Brown and rookie second-round pick Andrew Mukuba.

Or so fans thought. There's one other player not mentioned who could be a dark horse winner for the job.

Vic Fangio mentions another competitor's name that puts twist to safety position battle

While speaking to the media on Tuesday, Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was asked about the safety competition between Brown and Mukuba. Unprovoked, Fangio dropped another name in the conversation that fans and the media shouldn't forget.

"It's a competition that it's going to take a training camp, a few preseason games to sort out, and Tristin's (McCollum) in that too."

Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio speaks with the media. #FlyEaglesFly https://t.co/4nU6gTzyOr
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) June 3, 2025

Tristin McCollum was an undrafted free agent of the Houston Texans in 2022 before joining the Eagles in 2023. While he only played in three games that year, 2024 was his breakout season, with 33 tackles and two pass deflections in 14 games, including two starts.

It's an intriguing comment for Fangio to bring up McCollum's name, especially given the media's fixation on Mukuba and Brown. Many give the edge to Brown to start with his experience, but Fangio had brought up that Brown doesn't have as much experience due to missing the first month and a half of the 2024 season with his ACL injury, so he's still learning.

At OTAs, Brown was taking the starting reps during 11-on-11 drills alongside Blankenship. During 7-on-7 drills though, it was Mukuba starting with Blankenship at the safety positions.

From the eye test, it certainly feels like McCollum will have a tough challenge to start as some even thought he would have to fight for a roster spot. For Fangio to go out of his way to bring up McCollum might lead people to believe that he should be solid enough to make the 53-man roster.

It remains to be seen whether McCollum will receive any first-team reps during OTAs, minicamp, or training camp. Still, the media has been put on pause regarding crowning Brown and Mukuka as starting contenders for now.

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

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