Raise your hand if your mom always told you to make wise decisions about the company you keep. Yep! That's what we thought. If you were into making wise decisions early, you took the advice to heart. Cooper DeJean's stock has soared since the Philadelphia Eagles won Super Bowl 59, and from the outside looking in, he took mom's advice to heart.
Had his rookie season not begun with an injury that limited him to eight defensive snaps during the first four games of last season, we might be tempted to entertain conversations about this being a perfect start to his NFL career. Still, being a finalist for the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award ain't half bad. Birds fans have much to look forward to as Quinyon Mitchell was also a finalist.
So, what does a young slot corner do for an encore after closing his first NFL campaign with a pick-six in the Super Bowl? The answer is simple. He sheds any theories about a potential sophomore slump by working out with an All-Pro and Pittsburgh Steelers hero.
Cooper DeJean works out with Patrick Surtain and Ryan Clark.
For those who are a tad younger, your knowledge of Ryan Clark might begin with the work he has done on ESPN. Birds fans who are older might remember him for his time with Washington. No one was sad to see him leave the NFC East and join the AFC North's Pittsburgh Steelers.
Coop has added Clark to his circle of friends. He's also hanging out with two-time All-Pro and reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II. The latter is the first to win that honor since Stephon Gilmore did so in 2019. DeJean worked out with Surtain in Arizona at the end of March and spent some time with Clark two weeks later.
Yep! Coop has been picking his friends well. Sure, levels of difficulty in the NFL increase once the pads are thrown on and the games count for real, but we've felt Coop is destined for a long and prosperous career for a while.
We've had no fears of any sophomore slump, and we're more confident of a special second season after seeing him work out with two great defensive backs. It appears the offseason workout regimen is going well. You certainly won't hear any concerns from this direction.
