NFL Star Cooper DeJean Breaks Silence on Nikki Bella Romance Speculation
After weeks of intense online speculation connecting Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean to WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella, the athlete has finally addressed the rumors publicly. During a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, DeJean directly confronted the swirling chatter, offering a clear statement on his current romantic status.
The Origin and Escalation of the Rumors
The speculation initially ignited in December 2025 when both DeJean and Bella were spotted at separate Philadelphia Eagles events. The whispers grew significantly louder following Bella's subsequent appearance in Philadelphia, but the story reached a fever pitch this week. A viral clip from WWE's Monday Night Raw propelled their names into the same headline once again, with fans audibly chanting "Coop" during a segment featuring the Bella Twins. This public moment forced the NFL star to no longer avoid the persistent question.
DeJean's Direct Denial and Evasive Responses
Put squarely on the spot by host Pat McAfee, DeJean did not shy away from the inquiry that had been circulating for weeks. When asked directly about the validity of the romance rumors, DeJean provided a blunt and straightforward answer: "I don't think I have a public relationship."
While this statement did not completely extinguish the speculation, it made his position clear: he is not prepared to label any relationship for public consumption. The cornerback faced the question again during an appearance on Up & Adams with Kay Adams. When Nikki Bella's name was mentioned, DeJean offered a softer, more evasive response, stating, "I don't know about that. She is a good friend." Adams pressed him further regarding Bella's comments on Raw, but DeJean sidestepped, suggesting she could have been referring to anyone else.
Bella's Stance and DeJean's Relationship History
Nikki Bella has similarly avoided confirming any details about the situation. According to reports from TMZ, when recently approached in New York City, Bella stated she was still single, further fueling the ambiguous nature of their connection.
Prior to the emergence of the DeJean-Bella rumors, the Eagles cornerback was in a serious relationship with Steph Wilfawn, a former University of Iowa student. The couple celebrated his pivotal 2024 NFL Draft moment together, but reports indicate they parted ways shortly after the Eagles' Super Bowl victory, setting the stage for the current wave of speculation.
Despite the accumulation of public moments and fan-driven narratives, both Cooper DeJean and Nikki Bella continue to refuse any formal confirmation, leaving the true nature of their relationship firmly in the realm of rumor and conjecture.
