Cooper DeJean didn’t need many words to show how he felt about LeBron James landing in Philadelphia.
The Eagles cornerback lit up after James signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the 76ers, posting a short burst of excitement after the NBA star announced the move on his story. DeJean’s reaction said plenty on its own: “Phillyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy LFGGGGG,” DeJean wrote.
James’ arrival instantly changes the look of the 76ers, who now sit in the title-contender conversation with Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid for the upcoming season. The move also fits the four-time NBA MVP’s stated goal, as he left Los Angeles after eight years in pursuit of a fifth NBA title.
DeJean has wasted no time embracing Philadelphia’s sports energy since the Eagles took him in the second round of the 2024 draft. His reaction connected with fans and showed just how naturally the city’s NFL and NBA worlds overlap.
The signing also represents a major late-career twist for James, who was linked to retirement during the NBA playoffs. For Philadelphia, it adds another layer to long-running championship hopes by pairing James’ playoff track record with an already loaded roster.
On the Eagles side, DeJean’s role is also shifting. Vic Fangio said on the “Exciting Mics” podcast that he’s hopeful DeJean’s days of playing cornerback are over heading into the 2026 season. Analyst Chase Senior broke down the plan on Friday, noting that the Eagles had already experimented with DeJean in the slot last summer and used him there more heavily in 2025.
Senior said DeJean ended up as a first-team All-Pro last season alongside Quinion Mitchell, with both players coming out of the same 2024 draft. He also explained why Fangio wants DeJean moving around: the Eagles want him on the field every down, and they don’t want to take him off it.
As Senior put it, “What the Eagles want by doing this with DeJean playing safety on certain downs in certain packages is because he's such a great player. They want DeJean to be on the field for every down, and they don't want to take him off the field. DeJean has solidified himself as the best slot cornerback in the NFL.”
That versatility has made DeJean a valuable piece for Fangio, whether he’s lined up at cornerback, working inside as a slot defender or shifting to safety. With Fangio’s comments pointing toward even more usage on the inside next season, DeJean looks set to remain one of the Eagles’ most adaptable weapons.
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