When the Philadelphia Eagles selected safety Andrew Mukuba in the 2025 NFL Draft, it wasn’t just about adding another player to the depth chart—it was a signal of intent, part of a broader vision for a new era of Philadelphia football that blends speed, intelligence, and positional versatility. Now, with Mukuba officially under contract, the Eagles have successfully signed every member of their 2025 draft class. It might sound procedural on the surface, but the completion of this process well before the opening of training camp carries deeper implications for a team hungry to reassert itself in the postseason conversation.
For General Manager Howie Roseman, who has become known for his meticulous cap management and shrewd draft-day maneuvering, this offseason marked another notch in his legacy. Roseman made it a priority to not just draft impact-ready prospects, but also ensure they were brought into the fold quickly. By finalizing Mukuba’s deal, the front office demonstrated an intentional rhythm in building a roster that doesn’t just rest on the laurels of experience, but leans into the youth movement that has energized the NovaCare Complex since April.
Mukuba, a former Clemson standout, brings more than just athleticism to the Eagles’ secondary. He arrives with a reputation for high football IQ, elite sideline-to-sideline range, and an aggressive tackling style that fits perfectly into defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s system. Though not the flashiest pick of the draft, Mukuba may turn out to be among the most vital. In an NFC East that features an increasing number of pass-catching threats out of the slot and tight end positions, a hybrid safety who can defend in space, play the deep third, and step up in run support is a valuable asset.
For Mukuba, signing his rookie contract represents the realization of a lifelong dream and the beginning of an opportunity that many in the Eagles front office believe he’s well-equipped to seize. In college, he was a consistent starter, often tasked with shadowing top receivers and quarterbacks in the ACC. He’s been praised by coaches for his ability to diagnose plays before the snap, and while there’s still development ahead of him—especially in terms of reading complex route concepts and mastering pro-level disguises—his upside is substantial. In the words of one Eagles scout, “He’s the kind of guy who makes your defense smarter just by being on the field.”
His signing means the Eagles will enter training camp with all rookies on equal footing—no distractions, no contract holdouts, no media firestorms. That’s especially important for a team looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2024 campaign that ended short of expectations. Last season, Philadelphia was undone by inconsistent defensive performances, particularly in the secondary, where injuries and communication breakdowns became a recurring theme. By locking in every drafted player before camp, the team gives itself a clean slate and a full roster of competitors to evaluate from day one.
Beyond Mukuba, the rest of the 2025 class is loaded with intriguing talent. First-round pick Tyrese Levingston, the edge rusher out of LSU, has drawn comparisons to Josh Sweat with his burst off the line and hand placement. Linebacker Troy Durham, a third-rounder from Texas A\&M, is already turning heads with his versatility in coverage and special teams readiness. Offensive linemen like Jackson Corley and Sean Tufele provide the depth and future potential that Roseman has always prioritized in the trenches. And wide receiver Da’Mareon West, a late-round steal out of UCF, has the explosiveness and footwork to challenge for a slot role early on.
But it’s Mukuba who may represent the turning point in a retooled secondary that includes Darius Slay, Sydney Brown, and newcomer C.J. Gardner-Johnson. While the Eagles won’t hand him a starting job right away, the door is wide open for him to earn rotational reps—especially if he shows he can handle the complexity of Fangio’s multiple safety looks. Philadelphia has become a proving ground for young DBs in recent years, and Mukuba could be the next to take a major leap. The team’s willingness to get his deal done early is a show of confidence in his ability to contribute sooner rather than later.
Mukuba’s contract is believed to be a standard rookie-scale deal under the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement—fully guaranteed with a signing bonus consistent with his draft position. But what’s more important than the numbers is the timing. Veteran players often stress the importance of getting rookies into the facility with no off-field distractions, especially in the early days when install periods are heaviest and learning curves steepest. A rookie who’s behind due to contract issues is often a rookie who struggles to catch up. The Eagles have removed that barrier entirely for Mukuba and the rest of the class.
Head coach Nick Sirianni has already emphasized competition throughout OTAs and mini-camp, and with training camp set to kick off, the message is clear: roles are up for grabs. That should be music to the ears of players like Mukuba, who will relish the chance to prove themselves against NFL-caliber receivers and earn their keep in a defense that prides itself on discipline and explosiveness.
There’s also a deeper symbolic layer to Mukuba’s signing. He represents a bridge between the Eagles’ old and new identities. Gone are many of the Super Bowl LII champions, and while Jalen Hurts remains the emotional leader of the team, the roster around him is evolving. Young players are no longer developmental afterthoughts—they’re foundational pillars. Mukuba joins a list of recent draft picks expected to take on meaningful snaps right away, a shift in organizational philosophy that reflects both confidence in scouting and a willingness to evolve with the league.
It’s no secret that the safety position has become more complex in today’s NFL. Offenses are faster, more spread out, and filled with mismatch nightmares. To counter that, defenses must deploy players who are instinctive and capable of operating in hybrid roles. Mukuba fits that mold. His tape shows a player who thrives in chaos—fluid in coverage, strong in run support, and vocal on the field. For the Eagles, his signing is more than just a transaction—it’s a commitment to innovation on defense.
The speed with which the Eagles wrapped up their 2025 class also sends a message to the rest of the league. Philadelphia remains one of the most professionally run organizations in football. Roseman, Sirianni, and owner Jeffrey Lurie have cultivated a culture that balances performance expectations with player-first leadership. That’s the kind of environment where a player like Mukuba—eager, coachable, and mentally sharp—can thrive.
Fans should be excited about what this draft class, now fully under contract, can bring to the table. While rookies always bring some level of uncertainty, they also bring energy and hunger. Mukuba, in particular, has a chip on his shoulder after slipping slightly in the draft. He’s out to prove that teams who passed on him made a mistake—and the Eagles are more than happy to give him that platform.
Now that every drafted rookie is signed, the Eagles can focus solely on football. That might not make headlines across the league, but within the walls of the NovaCare Complex, it matters. It means that practice reps won’t be lost. Playbook installs won’t be delayed. And most importantly, it means a cohesive start to camp, where veterans and rookies alike can begin building the chemistry required for championship-caliber football.
Andrew Mukuba might not be the loudest voice in the room just yet, but his presence—officially locked in with pen to paper—marks the final step in a crucial offseason process. With the draft class signed, the Eagles have moved from theory to action. Now, it’s about competition, cohesion, and carving out roles on a team that believes its best days are still ahead. And for Mukuba, the journey is just beginning.
