The Philadelphia Eagles report to the Jefferson Health Training Complex for the start of 2026 Training Camp on Tuesday, July 28th. Over the next few weeks, PhiladelphiaEagles.com will get you ready by previewing the top storylines at each position. Today, a look at the safeties competing for initial-53.
Did you Know?
Andrew Mukuba was born in Zimbabwe before moving to Texas at the age of nine.
Returning Starters
The favorite for starting at one safety spot is the Eagles' 2025 second-round pick, Andrew Mukuba, who started 10 games last season for the Eagles before being placed on Injured Reserve. Mukuba, who stands at 5-foot-11, 186 pounds, played in 60 percent of the Eagles' regular-season snaps on defense in his rookie year.
Before his rookie year was cut short, the Texas Longhorn recorded 46 tackles and two interceptions through 11 games – with one interception coming against Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in Week 2.
The Eagles lost starting strong safety Reed Blankenship in free agency as well as rotational free safety Sydney Brown in a trade. The good news is that the two former Eagles draft picks will most likely be replaced in-house.
In the Mix
Marcus Epps enters Training Camp as an option to become the team's starting strong safety because ... well ... he was the starter by the end of last season. Epps was previously a starter at safety for the Eagles, starting every regular-season game in both 2022 and 2023.
The seven-year veteran has spent most of his career in Philadelphia, returning to the team in 2025 after a two-year stint with the Raiders. At first in his return, Epps provided depth and special teams value, but became the starter alongside Reed Blankenship late in the season – starting four out of 12 games played.
Originally a sixth-round pick by Minnesota in 2019, Epps has started 49 out of 94 games in his career, accumulating 296 tackles, three interceptions, and 18 passes defended.
The only other returning safety is Andre' Sam, who signed with the Eagles as an UDFA out of LSU in 2024. Ever since then, the 5-foot-10, 194-pound safety has bounced between the practice squad and active roster, appearing in three games in 2025. Sam, in his third season with the Eagles, will try to make the most out of the changing depth chart.
Slot cornerback Michael Carter was acquired midseason in a trade with the Jets. A versatile playmaker, Carter also has the flexibility to play safety in Vic Fangio's defense.
After landing in Philadelphia, Carter played in all but one game for the rest of the 2025 season. The University of North Carolina product started five games in 2025 across the Jets and Eagles.
New to the Nest
The Eagles signed eight-year NFL veteran J.T. Gray in free agency this offseason. While he may not get many snaps on defense, Gray makes his value known on special teams.
Since entering the league in 2018, the former Mississippi State Bulldog ranks second in NFL players in special teams tackles with 92, earning Gray three All-Pro selections on special teams in 2019, 2021, and 2024. After spending his first seven years in the league with the Saints, Gray spent 2025 with the Broncos and Buccaneers.
Rookie Cole Wisniewski will be gunning for a spot in the secondary during Training Camp. The Eagles' seventh-round selection of the 2026 NFL Draft, Wisniewski started his college career at FCS powerhouse North Dakota State before transferring to Texas Tech for his senior season, earning All-Big 12 honorable mention accolades.
The 6-foot-3 safety finished his five-year collegiate career with 294 tackles, two sacks, eight interceptions, 20 passes defended, and five forced fumbles – three of which came in his final two years.
The final addition to the safety position is rookie Maximus Pulley out of Wofford. The UDFA started 11 games as a senior in 2025, finishing his final collegiate season with 85 tackles, a blocked punt, and a conference-leading five interceptions, with two being returned for touchdowns. Not only was Pulley named Wofford's MVP, he earned consensus All-American honors and was one of the best defenders in the FCS.
While it may seem like many players are not rostered at safety entering Training Camp, it's worth remembering that cornerback Cooper DeJean frequently plays the position in base coverage.
Bird Call
defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio on the safety competition: "It's open. I think Marcus (Epps) is someone that will put up good claim to it. In base, it will be Cooper (DeJean). When we go to nickel and Coop comes up and plays nickel, it'll be Epps. We're taking a good look at Michael Carter back there. Andre Sam. Then we signed an undrafted free agent, Gush (Kapena Gushiken). J.T. Gray has been mainly a special teams player, but he'll get a look. We'll look at all those guys. It's an open competition."
Storylines to Follow
How will Andrew Mukuba look coming off his promising rookie season? ... How many true safeties make the initial 53-man roster? ... Will either of the rookies, Wisniewski and Pulley, be able to separate themselves during Training Camp and earn a roster spot?
How Many Made the Initial 53 in 2025: 3
- Written by Caroline Connor
