Marcus Epps could have an inside track to Eagles starting safety role

[ASFN Admin]

The Eagles entered the offseason needing answers at safety after leadership changes reshaped the middle of Vic Fangio's defense. Andrew Mukuba is expected to take on a larger role entering his second season, and veteran Marcus Epps could be positioned to join him in the starting lineup. Fangio addressed leadership concerns last Thursday after the departures of Nakobe Dean and Reed Blankenship, pointing to younger players stepping up while also highlighting Epps as a veteran capable of stabilizing the secondary.

"We'll get guys that will step up," Fangio said. "We played I think the first seven games last year without Nakobe. Zack did a good job of that."

Fangio also pointed to Blankenship's role in directing the secondary, particularly in helping Mukuba develop as a rookie, as something Epps can continue.

"Obviously, Reed did a good job, quarterback in the secondary, especially because he had Andrew with him there as a rookie," Fangio said. "I think Andrew will be able to step up his game there along those lines and if Epps is the guy, he'll definitely be able to do that also."

The comment offered perhaps the clearest indication yet that Epps enters training camp firmly in the mix for significant playing time opposite Mukuba. Epps returned to Philadelphia before the start of the 2025 season after being released by Las Vegas at the end of training camp. Initially joining the Eagles' practice squad, he earned his way back onto the active roster and appeared in 12 games while making four starts. The veteran safety finished with 19 tackles across 250 defensive snaps while providing depth and familiarity in Fangio's system. Asked specifically what stood out about Epps' play, Fangio pointed to the traits that made him a full-time starter during his first Philadelphia stint.

"I was pleasantly surprised," Fangio said. "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."

Epps originally arrived in Philadelphia during his rookie season after the Eagles claimed the former sixth-round pick off waivers from Minnesota in 2019. After serving in a reserve role early in his career, Epps broke through in 2022, starting all 17 games while helping anchor the NFL's top-ranked pass defense. That season, Epps totaled a career-high 92 tackles and six pass breakups while playing a team-high 1,096 defensive snaps during Philadelphia's run to Super Bowl LVII.

The performance earned Epps a free-agent contract with Las Vegas, where he started every game in 2023 before a knee injury shortened his 2024 campaign. Now back in Philadelphia, Epps enters his age-30 season with 49 career starts and a familiarity with the organization that could matter in a competition expected to continue through training camp.

"I think he'll do fine," Fangio said. "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."

The Eagles spent much of the offseason reshaping the secondary. Mukuba represents part of the future. Marcus Epps could still be a major piece of the present.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Vic Fangio praises Marcus Epps as Eagles safety race looms

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