Tom Brady Applauds Cooper DeJean as His Quick Ascent Continues Over the past two years, Cooper DeJean’s name has been mentioned by many coaches, analysts, and fans. However, when Tom Brady calls you a “tremendous player,” it resonates a little differently. That recognition feels like a turning point in a journey that hasn’t been easy for DeJean, the former Iowa standout who is rapidly emerging as one of the NFL’s most dependable young defenders.
Long before he ever put on a Philadelphia Eagles uniform, DeJean’s journey back to dominance started. His exceptional college career was abruptly cut short in November 2023 when he broke his leg while still attending Iowa. Such injuries have the potential to ruin bright futures or at the very least delay timelines. However, in DeJean’s case, it became a part of the narrative that heightens the impression of his NFL ascent. Most athletes dread the months of patience, rehabilitation, and adjusting expectations that were necessary for his recovery. Nevertheless, he persevered through each obstacle, using a setback as a springboard.
The Eagles made a snap decision when the 2024 NFL Draft came around. They bet on DeJean’s versatility, instincts, and exceptional athleticism by selecting him with the 40th overall pick in the second round. They quickly experienced a sense of validation. Philadelphia’s defense changed the moment DeJean took the field, despite the fact that he missed a number of games to begin his rookie season while he continued to heal. Everyone took notice.
The Eagles were in the middle of the NFL’s defensive rankings prior to DeJean’s return; they were a respectable but not particularly strong unit. The defense’s entire identity changed once he entered the starting lineup. Opposing quarterbacks instantly respected DeJean’s edge, stability on the outside, and confidence in the secondary. His presence did more than just fill a void. The players around him were elevated by it. Then came the moment that every rookie looks forward to: a play that solidifies your reputation within the franchise.
When DeJean faced Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, he produced the kind of performance that rewrites legends. Mahomes made a pass that he would likely like back while the Eagles were holding onto a narrow lead. DeJean leaped it, grabbed it cleanly, and ran away to score a touchdown. The Eagles’ championship wasn’t the only outcome of that pick-six. It declared the arrival of a new defensive star to the entire league.
In his sophomore year, DeJean hasn’t let up. He still plays like one of the NFL’s rising cornerback talents despite the inevitable ups and downs of year two. In a recent game against the Dallas Cowboys, he had a rare off game by his standards—something that every defender goes through—but his body of work as a whole speaks louder. He has accumulated 67 total tackles through 11 games this season, including 21 assists and 46 solo stops. He’s added half a sack to his stat line, forced two fumbles, and caught another interception. These figures show impact as well as production. And Tom Brady witnessed impact.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion, who is regarded as the best player in NFL history, was frank in his evaluation of DeJean. Brady has faced every kind of defensive back imaginable during his two decades of dominance, so calling him a “tremendous player” isn’t insincere. When he highlights a player, it indicates that they possess the qualities that great quarterbacks are afraid of: discipline, instincts, ball skills, and the capacity to turn a game around with a single play. DeJean, who is still in the early stages of his career, can “hang his hat on” that recognition with pride. When childhood idols turn into professional peers or even fans, young athletes frequently discuss how bizarre it feels. The ultimate measuring stick just gave DeJean a nod.
It’s understandable why DeJean has already risen to the NFL’s Top 100 players of 2025 list when you consider all of this: the injury comeback, the immediate rookie impact, the Super Bowl-winning moment, and now Brady’s praise. Even though he is only in his second season, his resume appears to be that of a much older person. The Eagles might have a reliable defender for many years to come if this is just the beginning. What about the remainder of the league? They are now formally under notice.
