Quinyon Mitchell is only 24 years old, already one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, and he just made the All-Pro and Pro Bowl for the first time. So what does the Philadelphia Eagles star say when asked about following up that kind of season? He brushes it off completely.

“I honestly feel like it’s the past,” Mitchell said. “I’m not an All-Pro anymore. It is a new season. I don’t view myself as an All-Pro anymore. I’m just trying to get better.”

That quote is a perfect encapsulation of why Mitchell is going to be a franchise cornerstone for a very, very long time. Beyond the physical traits, beyond how gifted and talented he is, his mentality separates him from most guys in this league.

He helped lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl as a rookie. He probably should have made the All-Pro team in his rookie season, but he didn’t have enough interceptions to get his name in there during that first year. None of that matters to him now. He’s locked in on getting better, and that kind of wiring at 24 is rare.

Mitchell’s mentality is exactly what the Eagles need

The fact that Mitchell has come into the NFL and taken the league by storm, anchored this defense, and still says he’s not worried about the accolades is exactly why the Eagles need to invest whatever it takes to keep him long-term. You have to have that strong mentality. You have to have that will to constantly improve. And Mitchell has both. He’s going to be an Eagles all-timer when it’s all said and done. Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself, but I 1,000% believe in Mitchell and his potential.

Philadelphia’s secondary looks stacked heading into this season with Mitchell, Riq Woolen, and Cooper DeJean locking down the cornerback spots. But Mitchell is the engine that makes the entire unit perform better. The way defensive coordinator Vic Fangio deploys his corners demands a certain level of discipline and football IQ, and Mitchell has proven he can handle whatever Fangio throws at him. Pair that with the hunger he’s showing this offseason and this defense could maintain a high level, or even get better.

Dontayvion Wicks earning Mitchell’s respect at practice

Mitchell was also asked about wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks, one of the Eagles’ new receivers after a trade with the Green Bay Packers. And his response was interesting considering what this offense looks like without A.J. Brown. Mitchell said Wicks is underrated. He said the newcomer has given him problems in practice, and he’s been impressed by his releases and moves at the top of his routes.

That’s high praise coming from a corner of Mitchell’s caliber. And for an offense trying to figure out its identity without a true No. 1 receiver, Wicks earning that kind of respect in OTAs matters. The Packers connection with new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion could help accelerate things. Wicks already knows how Mannion thinks, even though he was a quarterbacks coach in Green Bay, and that familiarity should give him a leg up.

Whether Wicks slots in as the No. 2 receiver alongside Makai Lemon or operates as the third option, the early signs suggest he can carve out a real role. It seems like this offense is going to be more of a collective, team-cohesive approach, and I really like that. Spread the ball around, create mismatches, and let guys like Wicks thrive without the pressure of being the guy.

The bigger picture here is simple. Mitchell’s mindset sets the tone for this entire team. When your best defensive player is talking about how accolades don’t matter and he just wants to improve, that trickles down to everyone else. Wicks clearly feels it. The defense clearly feeds off it. And if the Eagles are going to get back to where they want to be, they’re going to need that edge from Mitchell game in and game out.