The strongest part of the NFL\u2019s best defense last season was its cornerbacks and safeties. <\/p>\n
As rookies, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean<\/a> forged one of the league\u2019s most dominant cornerback tandems for the Eagles\u2019 defense, and Reed Blankenship and C.J. Gardner-Johnson <\/a>were a good safety duo.<\/p>\n Philadelphia\u2019s 2024 secondary, which allowed the lowest amount of passing yards per game (174.2) in the NFL last season, shut down quarterbacks, including in the team\u2019s Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs<\/a>, holding superstar Patrick Mahomes<\/a> to 257 yards.<\/p>\n The defense\u2019s biggest strength this season could be its linebackers or defensive linemen, with the secondary losing two key players (cornerback Darius Slay <\/a>and Gardner-Johnson<\/a>) during the offseason. <\/p>\n If second-round draft pick Drew Mukuba <\/a>and third-year player Sydney Brown<\/a> struggle to replace Gardner-Johnson\u2019s production, the Eagles\u2019 safeties could become a weakness, hurting the defense. <\/p>\n Eagles general manager Howie Roseman<\/a> could solve their potential safety problem by adding former All-Pro Justin Simmons<\/a>, who could be a solid starter next to Blankenship.<\/p>\n During an appearance with 97.5 The Fanatic last week, ESPN\u2019s Jeremy Fowler <\/a>said the Eagles are \u201con the shortlist\u201d for Simmons, mentioning the safety\u2019s connection to Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio<\/a>. <\/p>\n Last offseason, many expected the Eagles to target Simmons, who made two All-Pro teams (2019-2021) under Fangio, his former head coach with the Denver Broncos<\/a>. But instead Roseman opted to sign Gardner-Johnson to a three-year contract, and Simmons later joined the Atlanta Falcons<\/a> on a one-year deal, starting 16 games in his ninth NFL season. <\/p>\n NFL analyst Brian Baldinger said last month on NFL Network that Simmons wants to play for the Eagles,<\/a> and according to Fowler, the interest is mutual.<\/p>\n If Fangio doesn\u2019t believe Mukuba or Brown will be a good starter this season, adding Simmons would make sense even though the four-time All-Pro has regressed.<\/p>\n Simmons ranked 113th out of 171 NFL safeties last season, according to Pro Football Focus<\/a>, but he\u2019s comfortable playing in Fangio\u2019s scheme so he could be more productive with Philadelphia.<\/p>\n If Simmons became a serviceable starter for the Eagles\u2019 defense, allowing them to slowly bring along Mukuba, that would be a great outcome. <\/p>\n Simmons could fortify Philadelphia\u2019s secondary in 2025 \u2014 the Eagles wouldn\u2019t give him a multi-year deal \u2014 and he would be a good mentor to Mukuba and Brown. <\/p>\n The Eagles may wait until training camp before considering signing Simmons or another veteran safety, letting the competition between Mukuba and Brown play out. There would be no reason for Roseman to sign Simmons if Mukuba and Brown perform well. <\/p>\n