NFL insider reveals Cooper DeJean dilemma as Michael Carter move sparks debate
The Philadelphia Eagles made a move for Michael Carter II. And it has naturally sent a ripple through the fanbase. It feels like a strategic pawn sacrifice in a high-stakes game of chess. Everyone is now leaning in. They're waiting to see how the master will reposition his most valuable piece. Vic Fangio is squarely under the spotlight.
Carter isn’t just a simple depth addition. His arrival as a proven slot corner ignites a fundamental debate. It forces a critical question onto the table. What is the best way to deploy the phenomenal Cooper DeJean? The Eagles have been searching all season for a reliable answer opposite Quinyon Mitchell.
The struggle at the outside CB2 spot is no secret. Kelee Ringo and Adoree’ Jackson have had their difficulties. Jakorian Bennett has been stuck on the sidelines. This glaring need created a constant hum of speculation. Would the team disrupt a good thing to fix a problem area? This trade for Carter is their first official answer.
The Cooper DeJean Conundrum
Insider Brian Baldinger framed the dilemma perfectly. "Cooper is so good inside, and he's dealing with tight ends. He's so physical, like guys can't get off the line of scrimmage on. I'm just thinking what he did to Travis Kelce in the Super Bowl, the whole thing. But when it's a two receiver set, he plays outside opposite Quinyon,"
Baldinger then added, "I know Vic’s just come out and said he prefers that. But maybe that’s what their solution is... putting Michael Carter in the slot and playing Cooper outside is a remedy to the situation.”
This is the core of the Eagles’ new puzzle. It’s a high-risk, high-reward calculation. And the numbers make a compelling case for a shakeup. DeJean has been a lockdown artist in the slot. Conversely, the outside corner production has been lacking. The trade for Carter provides a potential pathway to balance the defense.
A Michael Carter Solution
For his part, DeJean is ready for anything. He told reporters, “I’d play wherever they put me... I feel like I’d have no problem moving outside if that was the case.”
The statistics suggest he can transform. Back at Iowa, DeJean was a force on the outside. His physicality and ball skills translate anywhere in the secondary. However, here comes Fangio's interjection. He has been hesitant. He previously stated,
Ultimately, the goal is simple. You must field your best eleven players. This likely means Mitchell and DeJean outside, with Carter manning the slot. This new configuration, on paper, looks far more formidable. It’s a bold attempt to solidify the entire defensive backfield before a playoff push.
The Eagles have chosen their path, betting that Carter can hold down the fort inside. Their defense has been good. But “good” doesn’t win in January. If DeJean can lock down the outside and Carter holds the slot, this secondary might finally match the hype. And as the Eagles head into the second half, this move could be the pivot. Not just for the defense, but for a team chasing another ring.
Cubs Favored To Replace Kyle Tucker With $182 Million Red Sox Superstar
The Chicago Cubs took a risk and acquired Kyle Tucker in a blockbuster trade last winter, but the superstar is now a free agent. It seems like he’s going to leave town in free agency, as he’s projected to sign for north of $400 million, so the Cubs will need to do their best to replace his production.
Jordan Campbell of Cubbies Crib recently suggested the Cubs could replace Tucker’s production by signing Boston Red Sox infielder Alex Bregman. Bregman was recently projected to sign a massive $182 million contract in free agency, according to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden.
“The guess here is that the Cubs make a strong push for Alex Bregman. The Cubs identified Bregman as the piece last offseason that could transition them from being a good team into a great team,” Campbell wrote. “They weren’t wrong, but the problem was that the Cubs made a pursuit of Bregman a priority far too late in the offseason. The Boston Red Sox likely will make a strong push to bring Bregman back, but the Cubs being involved shouldn’t be that surprising.”
Bregman has been a solid fit for the Cubs for the last year, and they seemingly took a shot on him last free agency, but he opted to sign with the Red Sox.
This offseason, the Cubs need to prioritize landing an impact bat, whether it’s Tucker or a replacement. Bregman would fit that mold, especially considering the fact that he’s projected to sign for half the money.
It won’t be a cake walk for the Cubs to sign Bregman, but it’s certainly a possibility.
