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Tag: Andrew Mukuba

  • Beginning The Offseason – Combine To Free Agency – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    With the combine starting this week the Eagles will be getting another look at future prospects and players ahead of the 2026 NFL draft. 

    And while the draft doesn’t begin until April 23rd. The Eagles still have a lot of work to do in the coming weeks with over 20 free agents set to hit the market with less than two weeks until the legal tampering period(march 9th) and free agency(march 11th) open

    2026 Free Agents

    Below is a list of the 20 players the Eagles will need to make a decision on in the coming weeks:

    • TE Dallas Goedert
    • S Reed Blankenship
    • ED Jaelan Phillips
    • ED Azeez Ojulari
    • WR Jahan Dotson
    • DL Brandon Graham
    • P Braden Mann
    • ED Joshua Uche
    • CB Adoree Jackson
    • TE Kylen Granson
    • G Matt Pryor
    • RB A.J. Dillon
    • OT Fred Johnson
    • LB Nakobe Dean
    • ED Ogbonnia Okronkwo
    • G Brett Toth
    • S Marcus Epps
    • QB Sam Howell
    • TE Grant Calcaterra
    • FB Ben VanSumeren

    There’s a few positions that stand out the most.  Including the Tight End room with 3 of the main rostered tight ends set to hit the open market. leaving E.J. Jenkins, Cameron Latu and Jaheim Bell as the only TE signed through the 2026 season.  

    The other major position of concern is Safety. Losing a defensive captain in Blankenship could be a heavy blow to the Eagles strong defensive unit. With Mukuba returning from a fractured ankle, and Sydney Brown having not taking a leap when given playing opportunity leaves the Eagles secondary thinner than it was last season. 

    There might be a handful of moves to come during the offseason, to nobodies surprise.

    Approaching The Draft

    The Eagles are always an active team during the offseason. After winning the Super Bowl in 2025, the Eagles made a total of 6 trades before and during the draft. The first 2 being moves that acquired draft capital moving C.J. Gardner-Johnson as well as Kenny Pickett. The next 4 took place during the draft that included moving up to acquire Jihaad Campbell, as well as trading up and back in the draft. Securing players like Ty Robinson and Mac McWilliams. 

    Similarly, the Eagles made two trades prior to the 2024 NFL draft, acquiring Kenny Pickett and moving on from Haason Reddick. They went on to make an additional EIGHT trades during the draft that helped them acquire players like Cooper DeJean and multiple trade backs that helped re-stock future drafts while acquiring Jalyx Hunt, Will Shipley and more. 

    With a few weeks to go before players are able to make agreements with other teams. Who do you think the Eagles will re-sign before the legal tampering period begins?

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    Tyler L’Heureux

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  • An Eagles Dream Team? Start By Giving Me Malcolm Jenkins and Bucko Kilroy Any Day – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Credit: Philadelphia Eagles-Facebook

    The Eagles are one of the most electric teams to watch in the NFL , and on Friday, in front of a Lincoln Financial Field crowd encouraged to dress in honor of Philadelphia’s alternate uniforms of black helmets, pants, and jerseys ,  the Eagles will honor Malcolm Jenkins and Bucko Kilroy by inducting them into the Eagles Hall of Fame.

    Malcolm Jenkins

    Credit: Philadelphia Eagles-Facebook

    The Eagles have had some great safeties over the decades. Brian Dawkins pulverized opposing platers in the early 2000s. Andre Waters and Wes Hopkins flattened anyone daring to come across the middle in the early 1990s.

    Bill Bradley was one of the few bright spots for the franchise in the early 1970s. And Andrew Mukuba and Reed Blankenship are well on their way to make a significant impact of their own during the best time in the long history of the Eagles.

    Malcolm Jenkins is at the top of that list as well.

    When he arrived in Philadelphia in 2014 during the Chip Kelly Era , he didn’t just bring hard hits. Malcolm Jenkins was a leader. The culmination of his efforts as a player and mentor was a 2018 Super Bowl Championship in which he pancaked New England Patriots receiver Brandin Cooks,  knocking him out of the game.

    Bucko Kilroy

    Bucko Kilroy became an Eagle in a period when the franchise was anything but stellar. The Eagles had become so bad that the first-ever franchise quarterback actually made a career move, becoming an FBI field agent rather than returning to compete with the Eagles. The team even lost their first ever game to New York at the Polo Grounds 56–0.

    Bucko was born here (Port Richmond) and even attended St. Anne’s Grade School and eventually Northeast Catholic High School. When he joined the Eagles as an UDFA in 1945, Kilroy entered the NFL the very same year that Pittsburgh and Philadelphia joined forces due to the war effort to play one season as the Steagles. 

    Bucko Kilroy would play over a decade in Philadelphia — and even set an NFL record with one hundred and forty-three consecutive games. Behind his Pro Bowl play  was fellow Hall of Famer and running back Steve Van Buren, who ran to a total of 7 NFL rushing titles. Between 1953 and 1955,  Kilroy was a Pro Bowler each year.

    So, when it comes to assembling my Eagles Dream Team?

    Give me Jenkins and Kilroy not only on this day, but also on all days. On any day.

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    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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  • Another Coverage Option From One Who Just Arrived? – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Packers at Redskins 09/23/18

    If the Eagles are going to return to the Super Bowl this year — they’ll need some help in the secondary. Rookie sensation Andrew Mukuba will undergo surgery on the fractured ankle that he suffered against the Cowboys on Sunday and has an uncertain timetable for return. Cornerback Adoree Jackson is in concussion protocol and Safety Reed Blankenship is nursing a thigh injury. But perhaps — the key to filling the void has already been in the Novacare Complex this season.

    Last season — in the winter chill of a January Wild-Card Playoff Game at Lincoln Financial Field — Jaire Alexander offered a gesture to Eagles fans that was not — shall we say — exactly made out of love. Now the next chapter of Alexander’s All-Pro Career will be right here in Philly — after acquiring him in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a seventh-round Draft Pick in 2027 and a sixth-round Pick in 2026.

    Last week — the Eagles placed Alexander on the Reserve/Retired list while he steps away from the game to focus on himself. It means that while he is stepping away from football right now — he could potentially return amid an Eagles post-season run. The move also means that the previous trade will between the Ravens and the Eagles will stand.

    Not long after the Eagles won the Super Bowl in 2018 — Alexander was selected with the 18th overall selection by the Green Bay Packers. Last June — after being released by Green Bay — Alexander signed a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens.

    A step back from the game that he loves may be a needed rejuvenation. It may also allow him to rejoin the Eagles at a critical point. A postseason run which would be the second of consecutive back-to-back Super Bowls.

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    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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  • Challenges In the Defensive Backfield – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    It’s one thing when the Eagles lose a game to Dallas after being up 21–0. It’s quite another when they lose much, much more. Twenty-four hours after a loss that sent the Eagles spiraling into the #2 Seed in the NFC — three late-game defensive injuries are coming more into focus.

    Photo Courtesy of Eaglesnation on X.

    Rookie sensation at Safety Drew Mukuka has been reported with a fracture in his ankle and will undergo surgery — with a length of time for his return uncertain.

    Selected in the fifth round of the NFL Draft (2021) by New York — the 5 foot 10 one hundred eighty-four pound Carter. In September of 2024 — New York signed Carter to a three–year ($30.75) million contract extension that includes ($13.61) million in guaranteed money. The result was that he became the highest paid slot cornerback in the entire National Football League.

    This season — Mukuba — who was the last rookie to sign a four-year contract worth $7,160,538, including $4,196,063 guaranteed money. The prospect of starting Mukuba is that his combination with Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell would make the Eagles’ defensive backfield one of the youngest starting in the NFL. He joins that Eagles secondary that was the only team in NFL history to start two rookie defensive backs in the Conference Championship Game and subsequently — the Super Bowl.

    The Eagles other Safety Reed Blankenship exited the game with a lower thigh injury and did not return. Sydney Brown played in his place in Dallas. The status on Blankenship for Friday’s game is unknown. But those two losses were not the only two in the Eagles secondary on Sunday.

    Veteran cornerback Adoree Jackson suffered a concussion in the third quarter. With the Eagles playing on a short week — it is unclear whether or not either Blankenship or Jackson will be able to play. 

    If they cannot go — the Eagles will look for help in the secondary from Kelee Ringo, Michael Carter II, or Jakorian Bennett if he is healthy and back. Sydney Brown will be next up at the Safety position.

    With the Rams looking overpowering against the Buccaneers on Sunday night — a loss on Friday against the Bears is not one that the Eagles can afford.

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    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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  • A Skill Position Where Too Much Is Never Enough – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    If the Eagles under Jeffrey Lurie and Howie Roseman have taught us anything over the last decade — it’s that they look to acquire talent from anywhere at any time. And with some positions — you just can never have too much. 

    One of those positions is that of Safety.

    It would appear that the addition of Andrew Mukuba in the 2025 NFL Draft just seven months earlier has solidified the safety position opposite Reed Blankenship. But then again — the Eagles rarely worry about being too deep at a given position.

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    This season — Mukuba — who was the last rookie to sign a four-year contract worth $7,160,538, including $4,196,063 guaranteed money. The prospect of starting Mukuba is that his combination with Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell would make the Eagles’ defensive backfield one of the youngest starting in the NFL. He joins that Eagles secondary that was the only team in NFL history to start two rookie defensive backs in the Conference Championship Game and subsequently — the Super Bowl.

    Notre Dame’s season last year included a 49–14 throttling of ranked Army at Yankee Stadium behind Jeremiyah Love’s 99-yard touchdown run. Earlier in the year — Irvington, New Jersey’s Adon Shuler returned an interception thirty-six yards for the Irish to seal a win over Georgia Tech. 

    This season — Shuler is once again shining for #9 Notre Dame (8–2.) Last week against #23 Pitt — Schuler continued a great season on defense with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown. The Irvington, New Jersey native isn’t just on the radar of NFL teams. He very well might be on the Draft Board of the Eagles.

    We may not find out until the NFL Draft next April.

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    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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  • Elevated Rookie Play Beats the Chiefs Once Again. – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    Standing on the 300 Level of GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City — one cannot help but be impressed by the NFL Championship banners blowing around in the hot Missouri air. It was the second most impressive thing at Arrowhead on Sunday. Apart from the Philadelphia Eagles, that is.

    On Sunday afternoon — in hard fought rematch of Super Bowl LIX ten months ago — the rushing attack of the Philadelphia Eagles offense led the way with two touchdowns in a 20–17 victory. But it was what happened on defense that was even more intriguing. 

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio — in an uncharacteristic move — sent pressure from every corner of the field at Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. One of the standouts in the Eagles secondary was rookie Safety Andrew Mukaba — who finished with six tackles, a 1.5 sack, and a 41-yard interception return on a pass picked off after a ricochet off of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Last year in Super Bowl LIX — then-rookie Eagles Cooper DeJean would intercept Patrick Mahomes — returning it thirty-eight yards for a score.

    Just under thirty years ago — another Eagles rookie was making a positive impression. Eagles Head Coach Ray Rhodes had drafted Brian Dawkins the previous May — after an impressive career at Clemson and an equally impressive NFL Combine. In week 5 against the Dallas Cowboys — After catapulting to the starting safety position on the Eagles — Dawkins shot the gap and blindsided three-time NFL Champion Troy Aikman. The ball popped into the air and was subsequently intercepted and returned 32-yards for a touchdown by Rhett Hall.

    The Eagles defense — which limited Mahomes’ offense to just seventeen points — was impressive all afternoon long. Those championship banners celebrating what was previously the best team in the NFL was almost as impressive.

    Almost, but not quite.

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    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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  • Andrew Mukuba’s pick in the Eagles’ win over the Chiefs has him on the way to being ‘scary’

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    Wherever the game goes, there’s one constant for Andrew Mukuba: If the ball is in the air, he’s going for a play, and trusting that it will find its way to him. 

    Sunday in the Eagles’ Super Bowl rematch against the Chiefs, the ball did, and in a crucial spot. 

    Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City offense had marched down to the Philadelphia 6-yard line early into the fourth quarter, and looking to cap off the drive and pull ahead, Mahomes tried to lead in his star tight end Travis Kelce on a pass drifting toward the goal line. 

    But Kelce couldn’t get a grip on the ball and bobbled it. Mukuba, who had moved to close in, could as the ball fell right into his hands for the interception. 

    The rookie safety took off with the pick with room down the left sideline. Only a dive from Chiefs offensive tackle Josh Simmons to knock him out of bounds prevented Mukuba from breaking completely away. 

    But he made the play, shifting momentum back to the Eagles at a pivotal point of an eventual 20-17 win at Arrowhead. The ball was in the air. He went for it. 

    “I’m really mad I got caught at the end still,” Mukuba cracked to the media at his locker postgame. “But it was a good changing point of the game. I feel that’s what we needed as a team to finish the game out.”

    And what the rookie needed to fully bring his day back.

    During the first half, Mukuba had already made a big play to bring up fourth down. The Chiefs had pushed into Eagles territory, but on a 3rd and 8, Mukuba charged in untouched on a blitz that brought him straight to Mahomes on a sack shared with recent edge rush signing Za’Darius Smith. The sequence held the Chiefs to only a field goal to maintain what was an early Eagles lead at 7-3. 

    Mahomes, however, came back around. 

    Pushing later into the half, Kansas City took a chance on a 4th and 4. Mahomes dropped a quick pass off for Kelce, Mukuba got caught slipping behind, and he grabbed on to the tight end’s arm, struggling to catch back up to make the tackle as he got pulled for 18 yards. 

    A few plays later, Mahomes kept the ball to run and trucked Mukuba for another first down that quickly led to a Chiefs touchdown and a brief 10-7 lead for them. 

    It was an NFL reality check for the second-round draft pick, but one he didn’t fold under. 

    Coming back from halftime, and on a Kansas City 3rd and 1, Mukuba cracked down on receiver Hollywood Brown short of the marker for no gain, which forced Mahomes and the Chiefs into another situation to go for it on 4th, where this time, they ran it straight into a wall and a turnover on downs.

    Then, in that critical spot where the Chiefs were threatening again from in close, Mukuba came up with the pick that instantly wiped the threat away. 

    “I mean, that’s the name of the game,” Mukuba said. “You gotta get the ball. Whoever causes the most turnovers, I believe’s got a high percentage chance of winning. So just thinking ‘ball’ at all times, man, it’s important. 

    “I feel like that’s what helps me a lot to be in those positions and being able to make those plays.”

    And what on Sunday, pulled himself and the Eagles through in the end. 

    Mukuba’s pick of Mahomes was the first of his NFL career, and in only the second week of his first professional season. 

    He told the media huddled at his locker that he did hold on to the ball and will be putting it up on his shelf later.

    For the Eagles, it’s hopefully the first of many. For Mukuba, it’s an early career milestone and a mark that he’s getting confident at the NFL level, which he credited Reed Blankenship for helping to build up as the veteran alongside him, and what he thinks will become a serious problem for the rest of the league soon enough.

    “There’s time where I feel like there’s plays I could’ve made that I didn’t make, and I kind of beat myself up a little bit,” Mukuba said. “But I had a guy like Reed next to me telling me to stay confident, keep going.  

    “But as I play, as I make the plays that I make and be in position, I feel like I gain more confidence just being out there and getting comfortable. I feel like sooner or later, I’m gonna get really, really comfortable, and it’s gonna be scary.”

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    Nick Tricome

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  • Week One Eagles Recap, The Start Of A New Chapter. – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Thursday night, before a long and stressful game that had a little bit of everything. The Eagles got to hang their second Super Bowl banner in front of fans at Lincoln Financial Field.

    What ensued were questionable flags, a costly turnover, weather delays, an early ejection and even…spitting contests?

    Chaos At Kickoff

    The Eagles unveiled the banner, with a little help from recently retired Brandon Graham.

    And just minutes later, on the opening kickoff return. Ben VanSumeren’s season might’ve came to an abrupt end. We’ll wait for an official announcement on the severity of the injury, but the Eagles FullBack idea might be over. 

    To makes matters worse, VanSumeren wouldn’t be the only player to miss the rest of tonight’s game. With a self inflicted wound, Jalen Carter was ejected while trainers dealt with the injured player. It doesn’t matter if Han or Dak shot first. But Carter’s presence was missed for 4 Quarters as the Cowboys totalled 119 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns. 

    While the Eagles pass rush struggled to get home, they managed 2TFLs late in the game. Almost like they were missing one of their best defensive players?

    Next Man Up

    With Carter ejected it was time for another Georgia Bulldog to take his place. 

    While some of his pressures should have turned into sacks tonight. Jordan Davis played a huge role along with Moro Ojomo who both played 89% of the Eagles defensive snaps.

    Among others who made plays Thursday night include Jahan Dotson, Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell. Who forced a fumble on Miles Sanders on the Eagles 10 yard line, might have been the game deciding turnover.

    And Then There Was A Weather Delay. Again.

    As if a 45 minute delay for the first Super Bowl banner wasn’t enough… It happened again

    With 4:45 remaining in the third quarter of a 24-20 game. Lightning in the surrounding area led to over an hour long delay in the game. Not returning until 11:30 local time, there was still almost 20 minutes of clock left to play.

    The delay killed momentum for both teams, as the game saw 5 straight punts before the end of the 4th, after 8 straight scoring possessions opened the season. 

    The Eagles played sloppy throughout the game. As a team should look missing key pieces, already beginning to deal with injuries (Landon Dickerson & A.J. Brown), with new players in the defense like Campbell, Mukuba & Jackson. With yet another new offensive system now under Kevin Patullo.

    With a week 1 divisional victory under their belts, do the Eagles look like they’re ready to run it back for Super Bowl 60?

    Go Birds. 

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    Tyler L’Heureux

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  • Eagles Bring Back Some Familiar Faces After Roster Cuts – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Amidst all the chaos of a blockbuster trade happening in the division. The Eagles have been loading the practice squad and depth chart back up with some familiar faces from the last few seasons. While we’ve already seen Patrick Johnson make his return in the preseason. The Eagles didn’t stop there.

    Adding To The Practice Squad

    After the initial rush of Waiver Claims saw 27 players get picked up across the league.

    Once the hype of the day was over the Eagles made a few extra additions to the team.

    Britain Covey

    After missing most of last season due to injury, the Eagles tried moving on from Covey in the offseason. Even attempting to find a solution in Avery Williams at the start of free agency.

    Once Williams was released for roster cuts the question became, who would be taking returns? Fangio stated last season he didn’t want DeJean permanently on the return team and the Eagles needed a solution.

    Now the Eagles will have Covey back on the practice squad and be able to promote him to the game day roster three times. In 2023 Covey played in 16 games with 29 Punt Returns for 417 yards and a longest return of 54 yards. 

    For now, there is a solution on the return team.

    Marcus Epps

    Just in case the C.J. Gardner-Johnson trade wasn’t confusing already. The Eagles brought back another familiar face to the practice squad. With 94 total tackles, 4 TFL and 1 Forced fumble on the Super Bowl 57 team. Epps moved on with many of the Free Agents after the 2022 season, where he landed with the Raiders.

    Missing the majority of the 2024 season from a torn ACL. With his 2 year deal expiring, the Eagles brought back Epps and waived Tristan McCollum (who was picked up by the Raiders).

    Epps will rejoin his former team, as well as former Raiders teammate Jakorian Bennett.

    For now, the Safety position group consists of 

    • Reed Blankenship
    • Andrew Mukuba
    • Sydney Brown
    • Marcus Epps (PS)
    • Andre Sam (PS)

    One More August Trade

    The day before 53-man rosters were due, the Eagles brought back one more familiar face from the Super Bowl 59 roster. This time via a trade. 

    Bringing back Fred Johnson gives the Eagles an extra body along the offensive line who’s already familiar with Stoutland and the Eagles offense.

    With 6 games started in the 2024 season Fred will be able to fill in for multiple positions across the OL. Including right guard, tackle and left tackle.

    Now with extra versatility along the offensive line. Will the Eagles finally be finished making moves before their September 4th season opener?

    Or is there one more trick up Howie Roseman’s sleeve?

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    Tyler L’Heureux

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  • A Solid Presence in the Defensive Secondary. – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Photo Courtesy of Wiki Commons.

    Sydney Brown Was A Favorite to Win a Starting Position. Mukuba Has No Plans to Make it That Easy.

    The history of football is rich with great safety play. The history of the Philadelphia Eagles — is rich with some of the finest and toughest safeties to ever play the game. The devastating and punishing play of Andre Waters. The leadership and lock-down coverage of Malcolm Jenkins. The bone-crushing, adrenaline filled style of Brian Dawkins. The decade of solid play from Randy Logan in the late 1970s. The “blade” signature of Don Burroughs in 1960 and the consistent contributions of Russ Craft during the 1940s — both of the latter helping to bring championships to Philadelphia.

    But one thing that the NFL Preseason has taught us is that nothing is for certain. The Eagles are high on the prospect of Sydney Brown opposite Reed Blankenship at the Safety position. But the push that Texas rookie Andrew Mukuba is making is truly hard not to notice. Being sick on the field couldn’t stop this rookie from making a definite impact in the Eagles second NFL pre-season game against the Browns. In the 2nd quarter — Mukuba intercepted a Dillon Gabriel pass and brought it back seventy-five yards for a score — and in the same quarter in which he recovered a fumble as well.

    Mukuba — who was the last rookie to sign a four-year worth $7,160,538 including $4,196,063 guaranteed money. The prospect of starting Mukuba is that his combination with Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell would make the Eagles defensive backfield one of the youngest starting in the NFL.

    He joins an Eagles secondary that were the only team in NFL history to start two rookie defensive backs in the Conference Championship Game and subsequently — the Super Bowl. It’s also the first time in franchise history that the Eagles have two rookie defensive backs nominated for the prestigious Rookie of the Year Award — presented by the Associated Press.

    The combination of the second round pick out of Texas in Mukuba, DeJean, and Mitchell could solidify the Eagles secondary for years to come. 

    The Eagles are counting on it.

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    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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