Andrew Mukuba and Travis Kelce
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Philadelphia Eagles safety Andrew Mukuba and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
In the latest episode of “Howie Knows Best” … we get to see how Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, once again, shows he knows more about evaluating potential NFL talent than almost everyone else, ever.
This week’s guest star? Rookie safety Andrew Mukuba, who took a star turn in a 20-17 road win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2.
It was just 5 months ago Roseman was happily swooping Mukuba up in the second round (No. 64 overall) of the 2025 NFL draft and had defensive coordinator Vic Fangio insert him directly in the starting lineup.
Remember that it was Roseman who drew some criticism when he traded last year’s starting safety, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, to the Houston Texans just one month after winning the Super Bowl and just one year after signing Gardner-Johnson to a 3-year, $27 million contract extension.
Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski singled Mukuba out as the “Biggest Winner” from the win over the Chiefs thanks to a fourth quarter interception by Mukuba on a pass deflected off the hands of 7-time NFL All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce.
“This wasn’t a pretty game by the Philadelphia Eagles, and they found themselves in a very tough position early in the fourth quarter,” Sobleski wrote on September 14. “Then, rookie safety Andrew Mukuba made the play of the game. The Kansas City Chiefs were on the doorstep of a go-ahead touchdown when the ball bounced out of the arms of Travis Kelce. Mukuba plucked it out of the air and returned it 41 yards. Philadelphia scored on the ensuing drive to take a 10-point lead and essentially put the game out of reach.”
Mukuba One of 2 Rookies Already in Starting Lineup
Roughly half of the Eagles’ starting defense from last season is gone, through free agency or injuries, after winning Super Bowl LIX with a blowout win over the Chiefs on February 9. What remains could very well be the NFL’s best assemblage of young talent.
Mukuba is one of 2 rookies already in the starting lineup for Philadelphia alongside inside linebacker and first round pick (No. 30 overall) Jihaad Campbell, who has 10 tackles, 1 pass deflection and 1 forced fumble in the first 2 games.
It was still Mukuba who created the most buzz headed into the year — mainly because of a 75-yard interception return for a touchdown in a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns. Through 2 regular season games, he has 10 tackles, 1 interception, 1 pass deflection, 1 TFL and 0.5 sacks.
We need to talk about this hit from Andrew Mukuba more…
BIG TIME stop from the rookie that led to the 4th down stop. Unreal stuff from the kid. pic.twitter.com/VqeFjgOVwU
— Josh Reynolds (@JoshReynolds24) September 14, 2025
Having 2 plug and play starters represents some incredible savings for the Eagles. Combined, Campbell and Mukuba are on the books for a combined $22 million over the next 4 seasons — just $5 million more than NFL All-Pro Zack Baun will make in 2025.
Mukuba’s Reputation: High Football IQ, Clutch Play
Mukuba crafted a reputation for having a high football IQ and making clutch plays during his college career — first at Clemson, where he was an All-ACC pick, then at Texas, where he was an All-SEC pick in 2024.
“Four-year starter who plays the game with the instincts and awareness of a player who has seen a lot of football,” NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft evaluation. ” … Mukuba possesses the character, physicality and playmaking instincts that will draw NFL teams to him as a future starter.”