Now they are best friends and a huge key to the team's chances of beating Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.

Rookies Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, the new "Lito and Sheldon," have instantly transformed the Eagles' defense.

Eagles Quinyon Mitchell finished second and Cooper DeJean Finished fourth in AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting

The transformation of the Philadelphia Eagles defense can't be told without mentioning Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Two of the major catalysts toward the revitalization of the unit, the Eagles' first- and second-round picks immediately improved the secondary upon their arrival.

Philadelphia rookies Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean have helped turn a secondary that was a decided weakness last season into a strength headed into the Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Some have to wait and wait, and finally it arrives. And then there are Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell. They did not have to wait at all.

Neither organization has buyer’s remorse. All four players are Rookie of the Year finalists. But the Eagles secured their secondary of the future. In Mitchell, the Eagles gained an immediate starter opposite veteran cornerback Darius Slay. In DeJean, they gained a potential successor for Slay, a six-time Pro Bowler entering his age-33 season.

The Philadelphia Eagles started the 2024 season just 2-2, dropping games against the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers prior to their Week 5 bye. In that second loss, their defense was torn asunder by the Bucs,

With the Super Bowl rapidly approaching, Jeffrey Lurie still can't believe that his Eagles drafted Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in 2024.

If one were to look back at the very start of the Philadelphia Eagles' 2024 season, they more than likely could not have projected that this team would currently be in New Orleans preparing to play in Super Bowl LIX.