Kelee Ringo’s 2025 Season: A Year of Missed Chances, Tough Lessons, and Special Teams Value
Coming into 2025, the Eagles had a real opportunity on their hands-and so did Kelee Ringo. With Darius Slay and Isaiah Rodgers Sr. no longer in the picture, the CB2 spot opposite James Bradberry was wide open.
The front office gave Ringo every chance to grab it. After two seasons mostly spent on special teams and with just five starts under his belt, this was the kind of moment young corners dream about.
But in the NFL, opportunity doesn’t guarantee success. And while Ringo had a clear runway, he couldn’t quite take off.
The Eagles made a quiet but telling move just before the preseason kicked off, trading for Jakorian Bennett to add depth to the cornerback room. That addition didn’t necessarily close the door on Ringo, but it did raise the bar.
Ultimately, it was veteran Adoree’ Jackson who won the job heading into Week 1. Jackson wasn’t the favorite to start when camp opened, but Ringo didn’t do enough in August to make the decision difficult.
And that’s where the “what if” begins.
A Rocky Start, A Brief Window
Jackson’s first outing as CB2 didn’t inspire much confidence. Dak Prescott and the Cowboys picked on him early and often in Week 1.
But credit where it’s due-Jackson rebounded over the next two games before an injury forced him to the sideline. That opened the door for Ringo to step in and show what he could do with real snaps.
In Week 4 against the Buccaneers, Ringo looked solid. He finished with four combined tackles, a pass deflection, and even scooped up a fumble.
It wasn’t flashy, but it was the kind of steady performance the Eagles were hoping to see. Then came Week 5 in Denver-and that’s where things started to slip.
The Broncos didn’t shy away from testing the young corner. Ringo was targeted seven times and gave up four catches for 56 yards.
Statistically, the 83.0 passer rating allowed wasn’t disastrous, but the tape told a different story. He looked a step slow on breaks and struggled with positioning.
Week 6 against the Giants didn’t help his case either. Jackson returned to the starting lineup, but Ringo still saw action-and gave up 73 yards on four catches.
That two-week stretch was enough for the coaching staff to tighten the rotation. From Week 7 on, Jackson locked down the CB2 role, and Ringo’s defensive snaps started to vanish.
From Cornerback to Core Special Teamer
After the Week 9 bye, Ringo’s role shifted almost entirely to special teams. Over the final eight games of the regular season, he logged just 16 total defensive snaps.
But on special teams? He became a force.
Ringo embraced the gunner role on punt coverage and quickly established himself as one of the Eagles’ most reliable special teams contributors. That might not be the path he envisioned back in training camp, but in a league where roster spots are precious and roles can change fast, carving out a niche matters.
He got one more shot to start in Week 18 against Washington. The stat line wasn’t bad-three targets, one catch allowed for 14 yards-but the tape showed a costly mistake.
Ringo gave up a rushing touchdown to Josh Johnson that stood out in all the wrong ways. It was a frustrating end to a season that never quite got off the ground defensively.
Looking Ahead: A Critical Offseason for Ringo
As the Eagles head into the 2026 offseason, Ringo finds himself in a familiar position-on the outside looking in at the CB2 spot. Whether the team looks to free agency or the draft to address the secondary, competition is coming. That doesn’t mean Ringo is out of the running, but he’ll have to prove more than just potential this time around.
What the Eagles do know is that Ringo brings value. He’s a high-effort, physical player who’s become a standout on special teams. And in a league where depth is tested every week, having a player who can step in and contribute-even in a limited role-matters.
The big question is whether Ringo can take that next step and become more than just a depth piece. The tools are there.
The opportunity may come again. But after a 2025 season full of missed chances and hard lessons, the clock is ticking.
For now, Ringo remains a “what if” on defense-but a “must-have” on special teams.