The Philadelphia Eagles’ rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell has rapidly become the talk of the training camp. His eye-catching performance, marked by spirited displays and audacious trash-talk, has not only earned him respect among teammates but has also secured him a starting spot in the slot position, a decision made by defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
"I do think when you drafted a corner per se in the first round, he needs to be a corner, and then if he can play inside, that's a bonus. This is a bonus right now that he's been able to play inside. We still really like him as a corner, though, too," Fangio remarked, highlighting Mitchell's flexibility.
A Natural Fit in the Slot
Mitchell's transition to the slot position has been nothing short of impressive. His ability to adapt and versatility were key attributes the Eagles hoped to tap into when they selected him in the draft. His spirited one-on-one matchups with star wide receivers like A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith have turned heads in the camp.
DeVonta Smith shared his experience, "I got open, I caught the ball, and he told me my route was trash."
"I like it, though. He's a great guy. I like what I'm seeing," added Smith, showing mutual respect for Mitchell's competitive nature. The sentiment was echoed by A.J. Brown, who admitted to challenging the rookie cornerback intentionally, "That's me kind of picking a fight with him, trying to get him going. He likes to talk trash at me. But I'm just picking a fight with him to make practices very interesting. But he's not fazed. He's not fazed."
Versatility and Confidence
Mitchell’s versatility has not only been praised but is also set to make him a historical figure within the Eagles’ secondary. He will be the first rookie cornerback to start prior to Week 5 since Eric Allen in 1988. This milestone underscores his rapid development and the confidence the coaching staff has in his abilities.
The secondary unit as a whole has benefited from Mitchell's addition, bringing a new layer of swagger that complements another significant newcomer, C.J. Gardner-Johnson. "Oh yeah. I love it. It’s pride and like chill. It’s not loud. He just goes to him and is like, next. Line it back up. It’s smooth. That’s how I do it. I love it," veteran cornerback Darius Slay said, emphasizing the composed yet confident demeanor Mitchell brings to the field.
Training Camp Highlights
Throughout the camp, Mitchell has been a constant presence, shifting between different positions and showcasing his multifaceted skill set. "He's moving around a lot—playing inside, going outside," noted Smith.
"The versatility is there. It's fun going against him," Smith continued, underlining the dynamic nature of the rookie's performance. This sentiment is shared by others in the squad, with Brown also expressing his satisfaction, "You want some competitors on the other side too."
The Eagles' preparation for the upcoming NFL season is intensifying, and the addition of Mitchell has clearly added a competitive edge to the squad. His fluency in various roles and his spirited approach have not gone unnoticed. "Q, he's going to be locked in and he's going to talk his talk," Brown said confidently, an endorsement of Mitchell's impact both on and off the field.
As the regular season draws near, the Philadelphia Eagles' decision to promote Quinyon Mitchell as a starter exemplifies their faith in his abilities and reflects the hard work the rookie has put in. With veterans like Slay and enthusiastic teammates like Smith and Brown backing him, Mitchell is poised to make a lasting impression in his debut season.