Who is Nikki Bella’s boyfriend Cooper DeJean? WWE star’s 20-year age gap romance confirmed after long speculation

After weeks of speculation fueled by public appearances and social media clues, reports now confirm that the WWE star Nikki Bella and Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean have been spending time together.

The development has been a notable personal chapter for Bella following a highly publicized divorce in 2024.The rumored relationship gained traction after Bella was spotted attending Eagles games while wearing DeJean’s jersey. Those sightings quickly set off online discussion, especially given the 20-year age gap between the two. So, here’s what you need to know about DeJean.

Who is Cooper DeJean, and why is he in the spotlight?

Cooper DeJean is far from an unknown name in football. Born February 9, 2003, the Iowa native became one of college football’s top defensive talents at the University of Iowa, earning unanimous All-American honors in 2023.

The Philadelphia Eagles selected him in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.DeJean helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LIX as a rookie, delivering a defining moment by intercepting Patrick Mahomes and returning it for a touchdown. The play marked the first interception ever recorded by an Eagles player in a Super Bowl and came on DeJean’s 22nd birthday.Raised in Odebolt, Iowa, DeJean built a reputation as a multi-sport standout before focusing on football.

Nikki Bella Cooper DeJean's dating status explained

According to sources cited by TMZ, Bella and DeJean have gone on several dates and share a mutual attraction. However, the situation remains casual. Bella is described as being “still very single and enjoying life,” with her primary focus centered on her career and raising her five-year-old son, Matteo.The timing has drawn attention given Bella’s recent past. Her divorce from former “Dancing with the Stars” partner Artem Chigvintsev happened in 2024 after months of public discussion.

Since then, Bella has spoken openly on “The Nikki and Brie Show” podcast about finding balance and maintaining a healthy co-parenting relationship with Chigvintsev.Her connection with DeJean shows that she is moving on from the divorce drama. The two were first seen together at a bar during an Eagles home game against the Las Vegas Raiders, an appearance that sparked widespread speculation. While neither Bella nor her representatives have publicly commented, sources close to the situation suggest both are keeping expectations realistic and pressure low.Also Read: WWE RAW Results & Highlights 5-jan-2026: Stranger Things edition sees CM Punk retain his World title, two new champions crowned, and more