The Eagles coordinators spoke to reporters on Thursday, including DC Vic Fangio. He talked about some of the team’s newest additions, like Jonathan Greenard and Riq Woolen, and explained why not retiring was an easy decision.
Fangio fielded one question about the 2025 season, and he acknowledged outside comments suggesting if the offense played better, they would’ve had a better season, but the DC was clear that the defense could have played better, too. And, while Jeff Stoutland stepped away from
the organization earlier in the offseason, the former OL coach and Fangio still live near each other and play golf together.
Here’s what else the DC had to say:
On retirement decision
Fangio was quick to claim that he wasn’t really close at all the retiring after the 2025 season, and while he took some time to think about it — as he had after the 2023 and 2024 season — it was an easy decision. He quipped that at the coach’s annual physical, the tests showed he was “reverse aging,” so he let everyone know they were stuck with him for awhile longer.
The DC explained that he still likes doing the job, and he likes the group of guys he gets to work with, and appreciates the challenge of the job and working for a good organization.
“In the end, I didn’t come close to doing it. I really don’t foresee myself doing it — I’m good for two years, at least.”
On individual players
Jonathan Greenard
“[Greenard]‘s been a good pass rusher. He’s been productive in the rush. He’s had years where he’s had good numbers sack-wise, but like we always discuss, pressure on the quarterback is also important and he’s been able to do that throughout his career. I think he’s strong on the edge versus the run game. We’re excited to have him, but I think there’s a lot of good there.“
Riq Woolen
Fangio explained that he was excited to add Riq Woolen after the team looked at him a little bit last season as a potential trade option. The DC didn’t get too into the CB’s film at that point, but dove in at the start of free agency and was surprised there wasn’t more action for a long-term deal.
“I was thrilled to get [Woolen]. I think he’s going to play [well] for us.”
He went on to talk about why he’s confident in Woolen, and said that the corner seems to be a great guy in the time they’ve spent together since the start of the offseason.
”He’s a rare guy in that you don’t see many corners in the league that are 6’4″. You don’t see many that are 6’2″ or even 6’1″ and there’s a reason for that. It’s hard to find guys at those heights that can move and mirror receivers that are hard to cover. He can do that for a guy his height. He can get in and out of breaks. He obviously has good downfield speed and his length is more of an asset than a detriment in his case. I’m excited to have him.“
Fangio also defended Woolen as an emotional player, and expects that the CB has learned whatever lessons he needed to and is confident he’ll grow from it.
Uar Bernard
The DC admitted that developing someone who has never played is a really different situation, but he had a similar experience with the 49ers with Lawrence Okoye, who was an Olympic discus thrower for England. They kept him for a couple years in San Francisco, but ultimately it never really worked out for him with other teams.
“Patience will need to be a virtue, both on his part and ours.”
Jalyx Hunt
“I see him growing his game in all aspects, I think he can and will rush better, play the run better. Just the natural progression.”
On the safety position
When asked about the safety position aside from Andrew Mukuba, Fangio pointed to Marcus Epps as someone that will put up a good claim to the starting spot. He also explained that Cooper DeJean will play safety in their base defense, but when DeJean comes up to play nickel, it’ll be Epps with Mukuba.
He also noted that they’re taking a good look at Michael Carter back there as well, and mentioned Andre Sam, Kapena Gushiken, and J.T. Gray as other guys who will get an opportunity — although he pointed out that Gray is mainly a special teams player.
Fangio spoke about Mukuba and the many injuries he dealt with last year, but overall the DC felt like the rookie was starting to come on in the five or six games before he got hurt. He’s hopeful that Mukuba will be able to pick up from where he left off, and while he’s still had a rehab-dominated offseason, he’s starting to get some work on the field and should be back soon.
Marcus Epps
“I was pleasantly surprised. Maybe surprised is the wrong word because I just really didn’t know him. But when he had to play last year, he came in and showed his experience, showed his instincts that he has for the game. I was pleased with the way he played last year.
I wasn’t considering him an old player at this point, but he’s obviously a veteran. I think he’ll do fine. I’m not sure what his injury history has been, but I think if he stays injury-free and if he wins the job, we’ll be fine.”
Fangio also noted that with Reed Blankenship gone, if Epps is the guy stepping into that role, he said Epps will definitely be able to lead the secondary.
Michael Carter
“He’s an instinctive player. I think he has a good feel for the game. What little he did play for us last year, he did show that. I don’t think he’ll have a hard time learning the position mentally. He’s just got to go out there and be able to do it. What we’ve been doing out there these last couple of weeks are just kind of walkthroughs and route pickups against other defensive players running the routes or even non-players. I think we’ll know early whether he’s got the feel for it or not.”
Other notables
- Fangio mentioned that Jihaad Campbell is still working through his shoulder rehab, and while he won’t be available for the early part of OTAs, they expect the OLB to be ready late in OTAs or by training camp.
- He thinks Jalen Carter is in a good place this offseason, noting that the DT started conditioning earlier than usual and those results are already showing up.
- The DC was very complimentary of the Eagles new OL coach, Chris Kuper, who was on Fangio’s staff in Denver for several years. He has the utmost confidence in Kuper, and expects the players to like and respect him.
- Fangio said he hadn’t learned about Nolan Smith’s arrest until that morning, so while he hasn’t spoken with the edge rusher, it’s something he’ll do at some point. He did say that Nick Sirianni spoke about the situation.
