Eagles' defensive coordinator Vic Fangio clears the air on Cooper DeJean and his official role with Philly
The Eagles did cross-train DeJean on the outside during training camp, but he's way too good on the inside to really consider moving.
For instance, in the Eagles’ 24-20 win over the Cowboys, DeJean shut down Dallas' receivers. He was targeted three times, allowed zero catches, forced one incompletion, and held Dak Prescott to a 42.4 passer rating when targeted.
DeJean, the Eagles' 2024 second-round draft pick out of Iowa, didn't hesitate to make an impact as a rookie as replace Avonte Maddox after Week 5 last fall.
He racked up 51 tackles, including three tackles for loss, half a sack, six passes defended, three fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble. He also had one interception returned for a touchdown in Super Bowl LIX. His overall performance was good enough to land him as a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s matchup against the Chiefs, the Eagles plan to start Jackson on the outside to get a better look at him. But if they find themselves trailing, don’t be surprised to see DeJean move around the field.
Commanders kicker Matt Gay takes responsibility for TNF loss after brutal night
The Washington Commanders dropped to 1-1 after their Thursday Night Football loss to the Green Bay Packers, and kicker Matt Gay made no excuses for his role in the defeat. The veteran specialist missed two critical field goals, leaving valuable points on the board during key stretches of the second half.
The Commanders offense found some rhythm late, but the early missed chances from special teams became too much to overcome. Gay connected on a 51-yard field goal in the first half but missed attempts from 58 and 52 yards in the second. Both would have narrowed the margin and changed the momentum of the game. The missed kicks highlighted the pressure placed on the Commanders special teams unit to deliver in tight moments.
Following the game, the 31-year-old kicker addressed reporters. The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala posted the full video to her X (formerly known as Twitter) account, capturing a visibly frustrated but accountable Gay as he met the media head-on.
“I take full responsibility for this loss.”
The comments struck a chord with Commanders fans, with many respecting the honesty following a disappointing performance. Despite a strong career track record—converting more than 84 percent of his field goal attempts—Thursday night was a rare misstep on a national stage. His willingness to face the backlash underscores his leadership and veteran presence in the locker room.
While much of the spotlight fell on Gay, the game saw other concerning trends. The defense allowed 404 total yards, and despite a late spark from second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels, the team could not mount a full comeback. Daniels finished with 200 passing yards and two touchdowns, but Washington’s offense produced just 11 yards in the first quarter.
As the Commanders regroup during their mini-bye ahead of a Week 3 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, Gay’s accountability could become a catalyst rather than a scapegoat. With the locker room already navigating injuries to Austin Ekeler and Deatrich Wise Jr., the veteran kicker’s response sets the tone for how the team plans to bounce back.
