Cooper DeJean’s rumored link with Nikki Bella sparks age-gap debate while Eagles defender focuses on Super Bowl defense

| Prantik Prabal Roy | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jan 7, 2026, 16:48 IST

Cooper DeJean is stepping into the loudest stretch of his young NFL career with far bigger stakes than internet chatter. The Philadelphia Eagles are in playoff mode, chasing a rare repeat Super Bowl run, and the rookie cornerback is expected to be a central piece of that push. Still, when a rising star is spotted in public with a global celebrity, attention shifts fast, whether he wants it or not.

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That shift came after DeJean was seen spending time with WWE icon Nikki Bella during an Eagles home game weekend. Photos, social posts, and a few well-timed sightings sparked nonstop talk, amplified by Bella proudly showing off DeJean jerseys and Eagles-themed outfits. What began as curiosity quickly turned into a full-blown dating debate, fueled by a notable age gap and two very public lives colliding.

Cooper DeJean dating rumors spark buzz as Eagles playoff focus intensifies

Reports since then have painted two very different pictures. The Daily Mail leaned hard into romance, claiming Bella is "smitten." TMZ, however, urged caution, noting that while the pair have gone on several dates, Bella, and likely DeJean as well, "is still very single and enjoying life."

Context matters here. Nikki Bella’s personal life has been under intense scrutiny following her divorce from Artem Chigvintsev, finalized after a long and public split. The former couple share a five-year-old son, Matteo, and Bella did not file for divorce until 2024. DeJean, meanwhile, quietly exited a long-term relationship with his college sweetheart, Steph Wilfawn, after his profile exploded on football’s biggest stage.

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That stage arrived when DeJean delivered one of the most memorable plays in recent Super Bowl history, intercepting Patrick Mahomes and returning it for a touchdown in a shocking blowout win. Overnight, he went from promising rookie to Philadelphia folk hero. Fame followed, and with it, an unavoidable spotlight on his personal life.

At the end of the day, two consenting adults spending time together is hardly scandalous. Bella’s visible support for the Eagles, including playful trash talk aimed at Detroit Lions fans, only adds fuel for fans who enjoy the crossover drama. But inside the Eagles locker room, priorities are far simpler.

For DeJean, the real story is not who he sits next to at a bar. It is whether he can stay locked in, sharpen his coverage, and help deliver something once thought impossible: back-to-back Lombardi Trophies for Philadelphia.