They lined up for Super Bowl LVII an experienced, cohesive unit that ranked as one of the best defenses in the entire NFL—first in the league in pass defense, first in quarterback sacks, tied for third with 17 takeaways, tied for sixth allowing just 18.9 points per game.

For all of the offensive highlights the Eagles provided that season, the defense was the backbone. And the starters, well, they were ready for anything. Up front, the Eagles went with Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, and Josh Sweat. At linebacker, Haason Reddick (edge) teamed with T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White. Darius Slay and James Bradberry started at cornerback, Avonte Maddox was the nickel corner, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Marcus Epps started at safety.

Only two seasons have passed since that 2022 defense lined up together for the final time in Super Bowl LVII, but the changes have been substantial. Graham remains part of the rotation up front. Sweat is still a starter and playing outstanding football. Slay and Gardner-Johnson start – with CJGJ having left for a season only to return as an unrestricted free agent for the 2024 campaign. Bradberry suffered an injury in the preseason and is on Injured Reserve.

Add it all up and the Eagles have eight new starters – Graham has one start and has played 46 percent of the defensive snaps through nine games – and how they've remade the defense is a remarkable story.

First, the defensive performance through nine games …

• Philadelphia is third in the NFL in points allowed, permitting just 16.1 per game

• The Eagles have allowed 274.1 yards per game, second in the league

• They are third in pass defense, allowing 173.4 yards per outing

• Philadelphia has allowed 100.7 yards per game on the ground, fifth in the NFL

• The Eagles are also third in the league in red zone defensive touchdown percentage, at 42.31 percent

It has, clearly, been a successful transition of the defense. Executive Vice President/General Manager Howie Roseman has used the NFL Draft and free agency to stock the defense and the reliance on young players has been a huge hit.

Along the defensive front, the Eagles have successfully drafted players who have stepped in and contributed –- among them, first-round picks Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, and Nolan Smith – and have gotten continued good play from holdovers Graham, Sweat, and tackle Milton Williams. Free agent signee Bryce Huff has 2.5 quarterback sacks, 13 quarterback pressures, and four quarterback hits, playing 39 percent of the snaps. Rookie Jalyx Hunt stepped up in the win at Dallas with key first-half reps and is on the rise as well.

At linebacker, the Eagles have a completely new group from the Super Bowl team – although Dean was a rookie on that team, he played just 34 defensive snaps that season. Now, Dean has grown into the role and has been an outstanding presence inside along with Zack Baun, signed in free agency. Both have been playmakers and tackling machines in the nine games played his season, true keys to the defensive excellence.

Slay remains a high-level starter at cornerback and CJGJ's return after a season in Detroit has added playmaking skills to the secondary, but the infusion of youth has really helped this group go to the next level. Reed Blankenship, a rookie in 2022 who started four games when Gardner-Johnson was injured, has grown into a full-time starter and terrific all-around safety, and rookie draft picks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean have been mature and productive beyond their years. Not since Eric Allen in 1988 has a rookie cornerback started for the Eagles since Day 1, so Mitchell is in rare company.

"We knew he was a good player and he has worked hard to learn and grow in the defense," Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio said. "This all takes time and he – all the guys – have worked hard to learn the defense and work together."

With a new coordinator in Fangio and a host of new players, the defense has rebuilt itself in a rapid manner and now the Eagles face a stern test on Thursday against Washington, a team that is tied for third in the NFL averaging 29 points per game.

"Every week, you go against the best," Dean said. "You have to prepare for that. We've improved as a defense, but I know we feel we have a lot more to grow. I don't think you ever say that you have 'arrived' as a defense. It doesn't work that way in this league."

What does work is the way the Eagles have retooled the defense, one that has played as one of the very best in the NFL through nine games and the feeling that the best is yet to come.