Cooper DeJean stepped into his ring ceremony moment wearing more than just a custom suit. The Philadelphia Eagles cornerback carried with him the defining play of his rookie season, immortalized in fabric and memory from Super Bowl LIX.
Why Did Cooper DeJean Choose to Honor His Super Bowl Pick-Six?
Super Bowl LIX will always carry extra meaning for many Eagles players. It was a moment of revenge for the veterans who played in the final two years earlier and suffered a painful loss to the same Kansas City Chiefs. For the younger players, it marked the beginning of a new era for the franchise.
Two of the biggest standouts from the 2024-25 season who completely transformed Vic Fangio’s defense were rookies Quinyon Mitchell and DeJean. The Philadelphia secondary desperately needed help, and there were doubts about whether Fangio’s complex system would be too much for two rookies. But the results exceeded expectations.
In the Super Bowl, DeJean stole the spotlight with a pick-six on an instinctive play that showed how, despite being a rookie, he operated like a veteran in the system. At the championship ring ceremony, he wore a suit that immortalized the moment in the inner lining.
How Did the Eagles’ Defense Dominate in Super Bowl LIX?
As a unit, the Eagles’ defense ranked first in passing yards allowed per game, giving up 192.12 yards on average during the 2024-25 campaign. In the Super Bowl, that dominance translated into a masterful game plan that pressured Patrick Mahomes with just four rushers, allowing the rest of the defense to rotate through variations of Cover 4 throughout the game.
On the game-changing interception, DeJean was part of a split-field coverage, playing Cover 4 on the strong side and man coverage on the weak side. He quickly recognized that the Chiefs’ play overloaded the strong side with a flood concept and a crossing route from the opposite side.
COOPER DEJEAN PICK TO THE HOUSE!
📺: #SBLIX on FOX
📱: Tubi + NFL app pic.twitter.com/y4Q4bGTHE2— NFL (@NFL) February 10, 2025
DeJean read the play instantly. As one defender picked up the short flat route and two others dropped back to cover the deep options, he filled the void Mahomes had targeted. The pick-six helped the Eagles take control of the game early in the first half.
With Darius Slay’s departure, DeJean’s responsibilities are expected to grow in 2025-26. He’s projected to take on the nickel role full-time, a key position in Fangio’s system that holds the unit together. His ability to tackle in the run game makes him a rare asset in today’s NFL.