The Eagles’ cornerback situation took an unexpected turn when Jakorian Bennett, acquired from the Raiders just a week prior, was quickly thrust into first-team reps during the team’s open practice at Lincoln Financial Field. While it was anticipated that defensive coordinator Vic Fangio would eventually evaluate Bennett with the starters, the speed of his promotion caught many by surprise.
Bennett arrived in Philadelphia late Monday night, spent his first two days observing practice and the preseason opener against the Bengals, and practiced with the second unit Saturday before earning a shot with the 1’s on Sunday.
Bennett Quickly Joins CB2 Battle as Eagles Seek Spark in Cornerback Competition
Fangio’s approach with Bennett was direct: test him under first-team conditions to see how he performs. “Just throw him into the action and see what he’s got,” Fangio said before practice. That trial came swiftly, with Bennett lining up against DeVonta Smith during his limited but notable reps with the starters.
His promotion came just five days after stepping into the NovaCare Complex for the first time, underscoring the coaching staff’s willingness to shake up the cornerback rotation.
Jakorian Bennett (NFL)Until Bennett’s arrival, the CB2 spot opposite rookie Quinyon Mitchell had been a two-man contest between second-year corner Kelee Ringo and veteran Adoree’ Jackson. Both had alternated first-team snaps throughout camp, but Bennett became the first player outside that pairing to get a look with the starters.
The timing of this change signals that the Eagles’ coaching staff may be unsatisfied with the current competition and are open to introducing a third contender.
Bennett’s Confidence and Rivals’ Struggles Propel Him Into Eagles’ CB2 Race
Bennett, drafted in the fourth round in 2023, just one pick before Ringo, appears unfazed by switching teams mid-preseason. “Conceptually, football doesn’t really change that much,” he explained, emphasizing that while terminology varies, core coverages remain the same.
The Eagles traded backup defensive lineman Thomas Booker to the Raiders to acquire Bennett, who played in 24 games with 11 starts across two seasons in Las Vegas. His prior experience, coupled with a confident mental approach, may have influenced Fangio’s decision to fast-track him into higher-level reps.
Part of Bennett’s quick ascent may be linked to the inconsistent play of Ringo and Jackson. Both corners faltered in the preseason opener against Cincinnati, with Ringo’s missed tackle on Ja’Marr Chase leading to a 36-yard touchdown.
According to Pro Football Focus, Ringo and Jackson posted poor pass coverage grades of 44.8 and 42.2, ranking near the bottom among all corners with at least 10 coverage snaps this preseason. These struggles may have opened the door for Bennett to get his early shot at cracking the starting lineup.
