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Three Biggest Questions Facing the Eagles Defense in Offseason

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Eric Johnson | Last updated Feb 10, 2026 10:00 AM ET

Despite Another Stellar Season, The Eagles’ Defense Faces Many Questions Heading into 2026

Although the Philadelphia Eagles’ offense was underwhelming in 2025, the Eagles’ defense was the opposite. They were one of the league’s best units again. Although they weren’t able to carry the team to another Super Bowl, that was hardly the fault of the defense. Now that it is officially the offseason, however, they have many questions that will need to be answered in 2026. From coaching changes to roster turnover, here are the three biggest questions facing the Eagles’ defense heading into 2026.

Looming Free Agents

The Eagles’ defense could be losing some familiar faces this offseason. Multiple starters are set to hit the free agency market, including Jaelan Phillips, Nakobe Dean, Adoree Jackson, and Reed Blankenship. Brandon Graham and Marcus Epps are two more guys who played roles defensively that are free agents. Five of their defensive starters from their Wild Card Round matchup will be free agents, with doubts about who the team will retain. Players like Phillips, Dean, and Blankenship are bound to have many suitors and command a sizable contract. The biggest question for the Eagles, having them back, will come down to their willingness to spend. Blankenship and Dean are long-tenured Eagles, spending four previous years with the team. Both have developed into some of the most respected voices in the Eagles locker room. Specifically, Blankenship who was named a captain for the first time this season. Phillips is the player the Eagles will be most willing to retain. With Vic Fangio seemingly confirmed to return in 2026, Phillips becomes an even bigger priority. Fangio has spoken glowingly about Phillips, who played very well after being acquired at the NFL’s trade deadline. The only two defensive ends currently under contract in 2026 are Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt. While both are good players, they are smaller defenders and will need a bigger defender to join them. Phillips fits that mold perfectly, but the Eagles will need to spend big to retain him. Graham will likely be back, assuming he doesn’t retire. How much the Eagles will be able to rely on the 37-year-old remains to be seen, though. The Eagles are likely to lose key players in free agency. How many and who remain to be seen, but the Eagles will undoubtedly be tasked with replacing some familiar faces.

Who Will Breakout on Eagles Defense?

The Eagles’ defense has had breakout defenders each season under Fangio. In 2024, Zack Baun was the breakout star. Cooper DeJean, Quinyon Mitchell, and Hunt made massive strides in 2025. To maintain this dominance into 2026, the Eagles will need some defenders to step up. Who will be the Eagles’ breakout defender in 2026?

Jihaad Campbell

Two players stand out as obvious candidates. The Eagles’ first-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, Jihaad Campbell, is one of them. As previously mentioned, Dean could be playing elsewhere next season. This would give Campbell the clear path to start, along with Baun, this coming season. Campbell was drafted so high by the Eagles largely due to his freakish athletic abilities. He tested as high as almost any linebacker at the NFL Combine in terms of his draft class. Although he did not play a ton, he saw an opportunity to start in Fangio’s defense near the beginning of 2025. Campbell absolutely showed some flashes. There are not many linebackers who are able to cover ground like he is able to. His athletic profile gives him the tools to cover any linebacker or running back he gets matched up with. Between him and Baun, there would not be a more athletic linebacker duo in the league. As is the case with defenders in Fangio’s defenses, though, it takes some time to get up to speed. With a full season and offseason to spend time with Fangio, Campbell will have enough time to know all of the ins and outs of his defense. If he can combine this with his athletic ability, Campbell will have every reason to have a breakout 2026 season.

Andrew Mukuba

The other of the Eagles’ top 2025 NFL Draft selections, Andrew Mukuba, is primed to take a step forward. Mukuba stepped into the starting safety role in Week 2 and continued starting through Week 12. Unfortunately, that was the last game he played that season, as he sustained a fractured ankle that landed him on IR. The timing of Mukuba’s injury was especially unfortunate, given he was just starting to round into form. As previously mentioned, Fangio’s defense takes time to become comfortable with. Although Mukuba made some splash plays early in the season with two interceptions, Fangio described his play as “uneven”.

As the season progressed, though, Fangio’s comments about Mukuba’s play were more complimentary. He was beginning to settle into the defense, becoming a key contributor on the back end. Shortly after, he would sustain his ankle injury.

With a full offseason to recover and continue getting comfortable in Fangio’s scheme, the sky is the limit for Mukuba. His big-play ability, combined with more down-to-down consistency, will make him a real weapon for this Eagles defense. The Eagles have two very bright, young players in Mukuba and Campbell who are poised to break out in their sophomore campaigns.

Contract Extensions?

This is not as immediate a need for the Eagles entering the 2026 season. Knowing Howie Roseman, though, he has definitely begun considering it for some time. Roseman has some tough contract decisions to make regarding the Eagles’ defense. Many key, young players are now eligible for extensions, with more looming. Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, and Moro Ojomo all became eligible for contract extensions with the conclusion of the 2025 season. Carter and Smith both have fifth-year team options due to them being first-round picks, which is all but guaranteed to be exercised. The Eagles do not have that luxury with Ojomo’s contract, though. Add in that Jordan Davis is heading into the fifth and final year of his contract, and the Eagles are suddenly forced with many tough decisions along their defensive line. Carter seems to be a lock to receive a contract extension at some point. He has been one of the most dominant interior defensive linemen in the league since being drafted. Outside of that, the Eagles may not be able to hand out big-money contracts to those other players. All three have been very good for the Eagles, and they know that they would command a massive payday if they were to hit free agency. Standouts Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell will become eligible for contract extensions at the end of the 2026 season, too, complicating things even further for the Eagles. Roseman will be forced to navigate complex contract situations. The Eagles almost assuredly won’t be able to keep all three of them, assuming DeJean and Mitchell are prioritized. A surprise move of one of these players to maximize their trade value while not having to give up a new contract would not be shocking, and something Roseman will have to consider.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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