Vic Fangio may not think the Eagles have been the NFL’s top nickel team over the last few years, but the numbers say Philadelphia has been right at the center of that trend.
The Eagles’ defensive coordinator pushed back during Wednesday’s press conference when asked whether his teams have played more nickel snaps than anyone else in the league. His answer was simple: “I don’t think that’s true, but we’re high.”
He also pointed to a broader league-wide shift. Fangio said the NFL has leaned harder into nickel because “the fullback has disappeared in the NFL, and he’s been replaced by a third wideout or a second tight end who’s a good receiver.
They’re splitting out people more from the core of the formation than they ever used to. That’s one of the main reasons for playing more nickel.”
Over the past two regular seasons, Philadelphia has indeed piled up the most nickel snaps by volume. In 2024, the Eagles logged 798 nickel snaps, fifth most in the league, while their 79.9 nickel percentage ranked fourth. In 2025, they finished with 796 nickel snaps, third most, and a 73.7 nickel percentage, which ranked third.
Add those two seasons together, though, and the Eagles move to the top of the pile with 1,594 nickel snaps. Houston was second with 1,571, followed by Seattle at 1,564, Chicago at 1,559, and San Francisco at 1,543. On a percentage basis, Philadelphia’s 76.7 mark trailed only Houston’s 77.2.
The Sportradar data also shows how often the Eagles mixed things up around that nickel core. They were in dime on 2.7% of their defensive snaps and in a four-defensive-back base on 19.9%. There were only seven total snaps of dollar and quarter, both heavy-DB looks used in specific situations.
A big reason the Eagles have been so effective in nickel is Cooper DeJean. As a slot corner, he gives them a player who can handle both passing and run support.
Fangio said nickel “ put our best combination on the field ”, and that fits the way Philadelphia used DeJean, Zack Baun, and Nakobe Dean in a 4-2-5 look. When that group was working, it was a problem for opponents.
Fangio also suggested the league may be drifting back toward more base defense. That could matter for the Eagles this season, especially after 2025, when CB2 was not as strong as usual.
The addition of Riq Woolen should help in 2026, and if the safety spot doesn’t look settled coming out of camp, DeJean can slide back while Philadelphia uses a four-DB base with only one of Marcus Epps and Drew Mukuba. Michael Carter II has apparently had a good camp, according to the beats.
There’s also the front to think about. The Eagles have plenty of options for hybrid 3-4 and 5-2 looks, even with the Jonathan Greenard injury complicating the evaluation. Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, AJ Epenesa, and Arnold Ebiketie all give them different answers up front.
Fangio’s comments about multiple tight end sets line up with the league data, too. Usage of 12 personnel across the NFL was at 20% in 2020, dipped to 19.6% in 2022, and then climbed to 24.4% last year.
Three-tight-end looks, or 13 personnel, also reached 5.5%. Both 2025 figures were the highest since tracking began in 2006.
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