Perfection doesn't exist in the NFL. Just don't tell Vic Fangio that. The veteran defensive coordinator has built a Hall of Fame-caliber reputation by refusing to become complacent. Even after overseeing his Philadelphia Eagles defense become one of the league's stingiest defenses in 2025, Fangio is undoubtedly spending the offseason searching for every possible area where the Eagles can improve.
The good news? There aren't many. Still, if Philadelphia wants to remain among the NFL's elite defensive teams, these are a handful of trends worth addressing. It's always about getting better. Coach Fangio knows that, and so do his players. Philadelphia could again rely on its guys early, and here's some of what we expect Fangio's guys to discuss during
their climb back this coming season.
Getting off the field on third down
The Eagles excelled in many defensive categories. Third down wasn't consistently one of them. Philadelphia finished 22nd in the NFL after opponents converted 41.18 percent of their third-down opportunities. That number often extended drives, increased time of possession, and forced the defense to play more snaps than necessary.
Improving on money downs could be one of the quickest ways for an already outstanding defense to become even better.
Continued growth in coverage from the safety position
Andrew Mukuba entered the league with a reputation as an instinctive playmaker, but there were understandable questions about how quickly he'd adjust to NFL passing attacks. His rookie season reflected both the promise and the learning curve.
Mukuba allowed a 106.3 passer rating when targeted, a number he'd undoubtedly like to improve in his second season. At the same time, he flashed the ball skills that made him so intriguing coming out of college.
He recorded two interceptions and three pass breakups despite appearing in only 11 games and making 10 starts. The takeaway isn't that Mukuba struggled. It's that his ceiling remains significantly higher than what he showed as a rookie.
Tightening up against the run
Philadelphia wasn't poor against the run. It simply wasn't as dominant against the pass. The Eagles allowed 4.2 yards per rushing attempt, finishing 16th in the league.
That middle-of-the-pack ranking stands out when compared to the defense's elite production in nearly every passing category. If the front seven can consistently win earlier in the down, opposing offenses will find themselves in even more difficult situations.
Limiting rushing production
The Eagles also surrendered 124.4 rushing yards per game, ranking 22nd in the NFL. Some of that reflects modern offensive philosophy, where opponents often leaned on the run to avoid challenging Philadelphia's talented secondary.
Even so, Fangio has rarely settled for average in any defensive category. Reducing explosive runs and forcing offenses into obvious passing situations would only strengthen an already formidable unit.
Getting Jalen Carter back to full strength
Perhaps no improvement would have a greater ripple effect than a healthy Jalen Carter. After establishing himself as one of the NFL's premier interior defenders, injuries limited Carter to just 11 games in 2025. He finished with three sacks and 33 tackles, production that fell well below the standard he had established during his first two seasons.
The Eagles know those numbers don't tell the full story. When healthy, Carter commands double teams, collapses pockets, and creates opportunities for everyone around him. A bounce-back season from arguably Philadelphia's most disruptive defender could elevate every level of Fangio's defense.
Elite defenses rarely stay elite by standing still. The Eagles already defend the pass exceptionally well and feature one of the NFL's deepest collections of defensive talent. If Fangio can improve third-down efficiency, continue Andrew Mukuba's development, tighten the run defense, and get Jalen Carter back to full health, Philadelphia won't just be chasing another top-five finish. It could be building the league's most complete defense.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 5 Eagles defensive trends from 2025 that Vic Fangio must improve
