Breaking – Philadelphia, Dec. 24, 2025 – The defending No. 1 defense from 2024 is facing a ample overhaul as Vic Fangio leads a revamped unit into the 2025 season, fresh off a championship run that culminated in Super Bowl LIX.
Fangio addressed questions about the shake-up in a June press gathering, drawing a clear parallel to last year’s personnel turnover and the challenges of integrating new faces while preserving elite performance.
He described 2025 as a near mirror of 2024, noting that the previous year featured meaningful turnover and the emergence of players who were still proving themselves. This season, he said, the roles are filled by a new wave of players who are expected to step up in the same way the prior batch did.
From the 2024 defense, the rotation included Zack Baun, Nakobe Dean, Oren Burks, Isaiah Rodgers, Moro Ojomo, Nolan Smith, and the return of Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.The club also drafted Quinyon Mitchell,Cooper DeJean,and Jalyx Hunt as part of the ongoing rebuild.
In 2025,that mix shifts to a group headlined by Kelee Ringo,Adoree’ Jackson,Sydney Brown,Tristin McCollum,Azeez Ojulari,Joshua Uche,Byron Young,Gabe Hall,Thomas Booker,Jihaad Campbell,Andrew Mukuba,Ty Robinson,Smael Mondon,and the rest of the rookies. Fangio warned that several players from the second roster must rise to match the impact of the earlier cohort, but he remains confident the defense can produce similar results year over year.
table: 2024 Core vs. 2025 replacements
| 2024 Defense Core | 2025 Replacements |
|---|---|
| Zack Baun, Nakobe Dean, Oren Burks, Isaiah Rodgers, Moro Ojomo, Nolan Smith; Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (back); draft picks Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Jalyx Hunt | Kelee Ringo, Adoree’ jackson, sydney Brown, Tristin McCollum, Azeez Ojulari, Joshua Uche, Byron Young, Gabe Hall, Thomas Booker, Jihaad Campbell, Andrew Mukuba, Ty Robinson, Smael Mondon, plus the rest of the rookies |
Evergreen insights: History shows elite defenses thrive on a blend of continuity and fresh talent. A accomplished transition hinges on the coaching staff instilling the scheme quickly, rookies absorbing the playbook, and veterans imparting leadership. When turnover occurs, development pipelines-through drafts, proper coaching, and real-game reps-become the difference between a one-year surge and sustained excellence.
Analysts note that teams often see a sophomore jump from newly drafted players as they adapt to the pace of the league. If the 2025 Eagles can accelerate learning curves and preserve the core principles Fangio champions, the unit could sustain its high standards even with a younger lineup.
Two questions for readers: Which newcomer(s) do you expect to have the biggest early impact on the defense? And can a high-pressure coaching approach compensate for inexperience as the season unfolds?
For further context on Fangio’s defensive philosophy and the evolving Eagles roster,see analyses from major outlets cited by the NFL community at NFL.com and ESPN, and also performance data at Pro Football Reference.
Share your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned for updates as this youth movement takes shape on the field.
