One has to wonder what Kelee Ringo is thinking at this point. Every time it appears he may get his opportunity, the Philadelphia Eagles, the local and national media, and much of the game’s most loyal fan base instead do their best to find his replacement or someone they see as being more interesting.
Ringo was selected during the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Shortly thereafter, the Eagles signed a then-suspended Isaiah Rodgers, intending to stash him until the 2024 regular season.
Rodgers, as expected, was reinstated on April 23, 2024. He eventually passed Kelee on Philadelphia’s depth chart. Rodgers was never meant to be a long-term answer, though. Unfortunately, however, the knowledge of such did little to help Ringo climb the ladder.
Another NFL Draft came two days after Rodgers’ reinstatement. The Eagles added not one, but two highly-touted cornerback prospects, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.
During the most recent offseason, Philadelphia lost Rodgers, Darius Slay, and Avonte Maddox. That seemed to point towards theories that Ringo’s time had come, but they acquired Adoree Jackson during free agency. That leads us back to our first statement. One has to wonder what Mr. Rngo is thinking.
During OTAs, he spoke with the Eagles media members, however briefly, but finally, everyone earned an opportunity to pick his brain and hear straight from the source.
Kelee Ringo continues to prepare himself as if he intends to win an Eagles starting job
More than two years have elapsed since Philadelphia scribbled Kelee’s name on a draft card and made him the 105th player taken during Round 4 of the 2023 NFL Draft. During his first meeting with the media, he spoke about competing, learning the game’s ins and outs, and diagnosing what opposing offenses are attempting to do so the game will “slow down”.
Two years later, he’s now the longest-tenured home-grown corner in the locker room. Additionally, much of his thinking aligns with what he expressed to everyone after receiving the call welcoming him to the Eagles organization.
This coming offseason represents Kelee’s best chance to win a starting job since his arrival. He’s had to wait behind Slay and Rodgers, but Vic Fangio and his defensive coaches will provide him with ample opportunity to win a starter’s role.
Nothing will be handed to him, and he knows that. He is also aware that any potential outside additions will further complicate that process. He has learned from Slay and Avonte. He has soaked up knowledge from the team’s new veteran, Jackson, but make no mistake. For Kelee, this coming training camp is as much about competition as it is cooperation. He’s looking to slide his nameplate into one of those starting positions on the Eagles’ depth chart.
“Continuing to keep my feet where they are” and taking things “day by day”. That’s how he has described what is needed to get it done. We’ll see how things go as we venture through training camp and the Eagles’ preseason.