Exciting Mics Ep. 22: Cooper & Reed on Eagles Getting Back on Track, Chargers MNF Preview & More

Podcast: Exciting Mics
Hosts: Cooper DeJean & Reed Blankenship
Date: December 4, 2025
Episode: 22

Overview

This episode of Exciting Mics, the official Philadelphia Eagles podcast hosted by defensive backs Cooper DeJean and Reed Blankenship, covers the team’s response to two tough losses, leadership and accountability in the locker room, a preview of the Monday Night matchup against the LA Chargers, life changes since coming to Philly, fan questions, Eagles fashion, plus some college football drama. As always, the duo’s chemistry and humor give listeners a unique, inside perspective on the highs and lows of NFL life, with plenty of banter and heartfelt moments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Team Response to Recent Losses

(Starts ~01:30; Deep Dive at 08:44)

• Accountability, Not Finger Pointing

  • Reed Blankenship emphasizes the importance of not blaming others and the value of team accountability.
  • "When you start getting to the finger-pointing world, man, that’s just—that ain’t it, man. That’s kind of cowardly in my opinion." (01:39, 08:53)
  • Focus remains on being open, addressing issues directly, and rallying the team, especially in his role as a captain.

• Defensive Struggles – Immediate Fixes Needed

  • Cooper and Reed break down what went wrong on defense, particularly in stopping the run, and recognize the urgency to tighten up.
  • "We need to worry about getting the ball back to the offense as quick as possible... and, you know, the past two weeks we didn’t." (02:02–03:06, 08:53–10:25)

• Blocking Out the “Outside Noise”

  • Cooper acknowledges the pressure and scrutiny in Philadelphia, but insists the team remains focused.
  • "The outside noise, especially in this city, is always going to be there… They hold us accountable. They care so much about this team." (10:53, 11:13)

2. Excitement About Prime Time Football & Getting Back on Track

(03:36–06:37, 19:13–20:07)

• Both players are energized by another chance to “get better” and the opportunity to play in yet another primetime game (Monday Night Football).
• Reed celebrates his first interception of the season, a key moment against the Cowboys in the red zone (04:09).
• Despite recent stumbles, the team’s record (8–4) and goals remain front and center.
  • "We hate the way we’re playing right now… but we still have everything right in front of us." (10:34–12:01)

3. Locker Room Culture & Staying Positive

(10:24–12:27)

• Focused on solutions, not drama: regular, direct conversations about improvements and preparation.
• Reed and Cooper highlight the importance of maintaining passion and fun, even when things aren’t going well.
• "The moment you get negative… it’s all lost." – Reed (11:13)
• Gratitude for supportive fans and a strong sense of shared motivation.

4. Thanksgiving Break & Family Life

(12:27–13:48)

• Quick discussion about celebrating Thanksgiving with family, what they ate, who cooked, and the tradition of balancing family care with football responsibilities.

5. Life Changes Since Coming to Philly

(13:56)

• Both share humorous confusion over Philly slang (“jawn”) and adjusting from “farmland to the big leagues.”
  • "As two guys who went from farmland to the big leagues, there are a lot of things we can’t make sense of…" – Cooper (14:05)

6. Eagles Fashion: “Exciting Fits” Segment

(16:26–18:52)

• Shoutout to teammates’ gameday looks—particularly AJ Brown, Zach Bone, Saquon Barkley, JP, and the now-legendary “Caucasian Collision Unit” NCAA crew.
  • "That jacket’s sick. I didn’t know Nike made jackets like that." – Cooper admiring Saquon Barkley’s fit (17:24)

7. Monday Night Football Preview: Chargers vs. Eagles

(18:54–22:58)

• Cooper and Reed talk about traveling to LA, their experiences with West Coast games, and expectations for the Chargers’ offense.
• Plans to prep for Justin Herbert, even as his injury status remains uncertain.
  • "We’re preparing like he’s playing." – Reed (20:41–20:43)
• The hosts discuss playing through injuries, the challenge of facing a balanced offense, and anticipate a strong Eagles fan presence at SoFi Stadium.

8. College Football Drama

(25:24–27:44)

• Lane Kiffin leaves Ole Miss for LSU but is prevented from coaching Ole Miss in the playoffs; Reed and Cooper critique the college football recruiting calendar and coaching carousel upheaval.
  • "I think they need to push back the signing day until after the playoff…" – Cooper (27:16)

9. Fan Q&A: Road Trips, Football Memories, Boxing Bragging Rights

(35:56–41:25)

• Favorite Road Trips: Reed’s worst journey—a snowy solo drive between Tennessee and Philly and a marathon family van trip from Alabama to Canada. Cooper’s AAU bus rides from Iowa to NYC.

  • "We drove from Bama to Canada. 20-some hour drive…That was the worst trip or drive ever." – Reed (38:13)

• Football Moments to Relive: Both would go back to high school days—state championships, playoff runs, and the irreplaceable atmosphere of Friday night lights.

  • "High school football is just different. The smell, the interaction, the relationships—it's different." – Reed (40:00)
  • "Winning back-to-back state championships in high school…that was pretty cool." – Cooper (39:34)

• Boxing Match Debate: Playful trash-talk over who would win a boxing match.

  • "Probably me. Because I'm the dad of the group now, so I got dad strength." – Reed (40:29)
  • "What does that mean? That means nothing…He can't throw a punch though, so I'll take that one." – Cooper (40:37)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Team Mindset:

  • "As a captain you just gotta kind of rally the troops...the worst thing you can do is bottle it all up." – Reed (02:02, 08:53)
  • "The way we're playing right now, we hate the way we're playing...but we still have everything right in front of us." – Cooper (10:34, 12:01)

• On Philly Slang:

  • "Easy. It's got to be the word jawn. Is it a verb or a noun or both?" – Reed (14:00)

• On Fan Support:

  • "They hold us accountable. That's what's great about this place. They care so much about this team." – Reed (11:13)

• Favorite Trip Stories:

  • "We drove from Bama to Canada. 20-some hour drive…six of us in one of those big family vans, bro." – Reed (38:13)

• On High School Football:

  • "High school football is just different. The smell, the interaction, the relationships is different." – Reed (40:00)

• Boxing Banter:

  • "Probably me. Because I'm the dad of the group now, so I got dad strength." – Reed (40:29)
  • "What does that mean? That means nothing...He can't throw a punch though, so I'll take that one." – Cooper (40:37)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Team Accountability & Locker Room Culture: 01:39–03:06, 08:44–12:27
• Thanksgiving & Family Discussion: 12:27–13:48
• Adjusting to Philadelphia: 13:56–14:29
• Exciting Fits (Eagles Fashion): 16:26–18:52
• Chargers MNF Preview: 18:54–22:58
• College Football News & Lane Kiffin Drama: 25:24–27:44
• Fan Q&A: 35:56–41:25
  • Worst Road Trip: 37:02–38:52
  • Football Moments to Relive: 39:26–40:25
  • Boxing Debate: 40:29–41:16

Tone & Personality

Consistently down-to-earth, relatable, and upbeat with lots of friendly teasing and laughter, Cooper and Reed bring a genuine locker room atmosphere to the podcast. They balance honest reflection on adversity with optimism and a focus on solutions, keeping things accessible for fans both inside and outside Philly.

Summary

This episode offers a deep look at how the Eagles are working to rebound from two tough losses, with Reed and Cooper providing refreshingly candid insight into locker room dynamics and team accountability. Listeners are treated to stories from their lives off the field, reactions to college football chaos, fan shoutouts, a lively segment on gameday fashion, and a fun, interactive Q&A that highlights both their humility and competitive spirit. The MNF showdown with the Chargers looms large, but optimism and humor remain the defining themes of the show.

Key Quote:
"The moment you get negative about it is when it’s all lost. So trust me, like, we’re working on [it] every day." – Reed Blankenship (11:13)

Go Birds!