Media won't let Eagles fans forget team's biggest concern entering 2025 season

If Philadelphia Eagles fans had a nickel for every article that was written about the concerns over the defense losing players, everyone would be rich.

That conversation continued with ESPN's roundtable article, in which NFC East beat reporters answered questions about the division going into the 2025 season. Eagles reporter Tim McManus brought up that the Eagles' most significant concern in 2025 is the turnover within the defense.

"Vic Fangio saw a number of key contributors exit this offseason including Williams, cornerback Darius Slay Jr., safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and edge players Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham. The Eagles could also start the year without linebacker Nakobe Dean, who is recovering from a torn patellar tendon.

Philadelphia brought in several veterans like corner Adoree' Jackson and edge rushers Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche on one-year deals. Between that group, the rookie class and up-and-comers such as safety Sydney Brown and cornerback Kelee Ringo, the hope is there is enough talent to sustain a high level of play defensively in 2025 after finishing as the top-ranked defense under Fangio last season."

The turnover on defense isn't as much of a concern as some believe

One position group that might raise concerns within the Philadelphia defense could be the secondary. Brown, rookie second-round pick Andrew Mukuba, and Tristin McCollum are all battling to replace Gardner-Johnson, with minimal experience from all three. Even at cornerback, outside of Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, there are some fair questions about who can replace Slay, James Bradberry, and Avonte Maddox.

Outside of that, this was the best defense in the NFL last year, which still has an incredible front seven. Jalen Carter is a superstar in the making, with Zack Baun emerging as one of the best linebackers in the league thanks to an eye-opening season. Nolan Smith Jr. is the top pass rusher and Jordan Davis is a complimentary piece to Carter, but depth could be a concern on the defensive line and linebacker.

The Eagles have to hope that rookie first-round pick Jihaad Campbell and fourth-round pick Ty Robinson can provide depth to those positions. Philadelphia is even hoping that Jeremiah Trotter Jr. can have a breakout second season with Campbell and Dean recovering from their offseason surgeries.

All the talk about the defense won't go away anytime soon. Everything depends on if the young players on the team can take on bigger roles that were filled previously by Williams, Sweat, Slay, Graham, and Gardner-Johnson.

One element that people forget to never doubt in their lives: Howie Roseman.