In case you missed it Wednesday afternoon, the Eagles held their second OTA session at the NovaCare Complex and it was open to the media. Dallas Goedert, Jalyx Hunt, Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell all spoke to the media regarding expectations for the team and themselves heading into the new season.
Dallas Goedert is happy to remain with Eagles
The biggest question mark leading up to the organized team activities was whether the Eagles and Goedert would find a middle ground on a contract agreement. The two sides did and Goedert expressed how pleased he was that he staying in Philadelphia.
“There was a little uncertainty going into the offseason,” Goedert said. “I talked to my agent, talked with Howie. There was a time I wasn’t here for the beginning of OTAs trying to figure out what was going to happen. We came to the agreement to the contract I’m on and I’m super stoked to be back here. Have a lot of love for a lot of people in this building. Have a lot of love for Philadelphia. Super glad to be back and want to help us get back to where we were last year.“
The Eagles’ tight end mentioned that he had to weigh both the positives and negatives on staying or leaving the team that drafted him in the second round in 2018 out of South Dakota State.
“There were a lot of emotions through the offseason. Not sure if you’ll be here or not. There were sad emotions of leaving. There was the excitement of a change and seeing something different. You go back and forth and try to balance those. I have had seven offseasons and this was the first I had to deal with this, I’m pretty lucky, but it was an interesting feeling for sure. I’m excited to get something done and come back here to a place I’m really comfortable in.“
Goedert did mention he thought the number he and the Eagles agreed upon was fair to what he felt his value is and he just wanted to be compensated fairly.
“I wouldn’t want to play for less. I feel like I know my value, the Eagles know my value and finding a number I was ok with and excited and that my time was worth it. Whatever I can do on the field there’s a threshold that I felt like I deserved and we were able to get there.”
Jalyx Hunt developing his bag of moves
One of the most surprising developments was the success and production Hunt had as a rookie after being thrown into the fire starting in Week 10. The Eagles’ third-round pick from Houston Christian and previously Cornell is a potential breakout player this year and the second-year EDGE is already focused on honing his craft.
“This offseason I just know a lot more of what is expected of me and what to expect from tackles and different players across the league,” Hunt said on what was his biggest takeaway from his rookie season.
“I just know a lot more and I can approach my game in a more professional way. Figuring out what moves to work on, what I should watch, who I should watch. Be a lot more technical. Players who are elite and good, their technicality levels are on completely different levels. If I want to be great at this position and in this league, I have to be technical. That’s really what I’m focusing on and that’s what I think that has really changed from last year to this year.“
Hunt, who shined in the playoffs for the Eagles, recording 1.5 sacks, three quarterback hits to go with 10 total tackles is looking to take his game to the next level.
“It started last year, learning your bag and plan is different depending what side you’re on, which tackle you are going up against, the history you have with that tackle, the history they have with different moves. Right now, I’m just developing everything. But when you get to the season and watch a particular tackle and see what he gets beat on, what he likes to do, what he doesn’t like to do. That all comes into play with your plan and your bag when going against him.”
We also might see a little more personality from Hunt in his second season after putting his head down and just wanting to ensure he doesn’t let his teammates down.
“I’m way more comfortable. Last year it was coming at you fast. I feel I understand the game a lot more, I can play within the player that I am and have a little more personality out there instead of being so cookie cutter so I’m excited about that.”
DeJean’s popularity exploding
Perhaps no other player has become more popular this offseason than DeJean. From autograph signings in the suburbs, banging the drum at the Union game, to co-hosting a new podcast with Reed Blankenship called “Exciting Mics”, the former Iowa Hawkeye has been the center of attention in and around the city. For DeJean, the new fame has not altered his mindset.
“I don’t think whether I become more popular in the city has changed who I am as a person,” DeJean said. “I’m still continuing to work and try to be the best I can be at my job. Theres a lot of things I can be better at coming off of last season. Those are the things I’m working on. Getting stronger, faster and more comfortable on the field, working on techniques. I don’t’ think it has changed me at all.“
DeJean and the rest of the younger Eagles learned just how much the team means to the city. Yet he knows that last year is now in the rear view mirror and the fan and city will be super focused with extremely high expectations.
“It’s crazy. Everybody in this city loves Eagles football and you can tell that, especially after you win a championship. Going into next season they are going to expect the same thing again. Have to find a way to push that behind you and find a way to do it all over again. Once that first game hits, don’t think many will be remembering what we did last season. There will be new critics for this season.”
One of the more intriguing aspects of his game he is working on is playing outside cornerback. Early reports indicated that DeJean lined up at outside cornerback in the Eagles’ base defense on Wednesday. The team might move DeJean around a bit more in 2025 and he is preparing for that.
“I played both a little in college. They are different. On the inside you have to prepare more to fit the run and be able to cover. Corner is more worrying about covering the top wide receiver with a lot of space. I did a little bit in college; I’ve been doing it a little bit early here in OTAs. Just going wherever they need me to be is what I’ll do. It’s definitely a tall task.”
For DeJean, he just wants to be out on the field making plays like he did all season.
“I’ll play wherever to be honest. Wherever they put me on the football field, as long as I’m out there and playing it doesn’t matter to me.”
Quinyon quietly getting prepared
Mitchell had the least to say on Wednesday during his press conference but it is clear he is focused on improving after an impressive rookie campaign.
“I’m looking to improve in all aspects, technique, ball skills, tackling. Just everything any football player needs to do to be better,” Mitchell said on his focus so far.
The NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year runner-up put together quite the season as the team’s lockdown cornerback. Starting in every game of the season for the Eagles, Mitchell had 12 pass deflections while allowing just 54.7% of passes thrown his way to be completed and allowed only three touchdowns. In the playoffs he recorded his first two career interceptions.
Mitchell said he has improved his ability to dissect film and credits the supporting cast around him for helping him in that department.
“I got great coaches around me and good veterans who helped me learn how to watch film. Really now just watching more and honing in on the small details.”
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
