Nakobe Dean
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Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean.
The Philadelphia Eagles put the writing on the wall for inside linebacker Nakobe Dean the last few years — enough so that no one should be surprised when he finally bolts for another team.
ESPN has called Dean the “Most Likely” current Eagle to leave in free agency in the 2026 cycle, where he could be in line for a massive deal from another team.
From ESPN: “(Dean) is a difference-maker when healthy and is a respected leader, but Dean could command $10 million or more per season, and that is probably too costly because of their other talented linebackers. With Zack Baun and last year’s first-round pick Jihaad Campbell set for primary roles, Dean will likely have to realize his value elsewhere.”
Dean Has 1-Time Opportunity for Payday
Spotrac projects Dean will receive a 4-year, $61.9 million contract in free agency.
Dean played the last 4 seasons on a 4-year, $5.2 million rookie contract after the Eagles drafted him in the third round (No. 83 overall) of the 2022 NFL draft out of the University of Georgia.
While Eagles fans might really want Dean back, there are several things that indicate his time in Philadelphia has come to an end.
The first problem is the contract of fellow inside linebacker Zack Baun, who signed a 3-year, $51 million contract with the Eagles following the Super Bowl win and it’s hard to imagine the team investing that much money at a position that’s traditionally undervalued.
Another hurdle is Dean’s own injury history. He tore his patellar tendon in last seasons NFC Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers and missed the first 7 games of the 2025 regular season as he recovered from the injury. In 2023, he missed 12 games with a Lisfranc injury to his foot.
The final problem with Dean coming back is probably the most significant — the Eagles have already tried to replace him.
Eagles Spent 2025 1st Round Pick on Replacement
In the Eagles’ season-ending loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Wild Card Round, there was one pretty telling statistic no one spent a lot of time on — rookie inside linebacker Jihaad Campbell logged just one defensive snap.
That’s significant because the Eagles traded up to select Campbell in the first round (No. 30 overall) in the 2025 NFL draft and signed him to a 4-year, $14.9 million contract. He played in all 17 games as a rookie and started 10 games — mostly when Dean was still recovering from his torn patellar tendon.
Once Dean came back, Campbell quickly became an afterthought and finished his rookie year with 80 tackles, 2 TFL, 3 pass deflections, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery.
“Eagles fans, brace yourselves, free agency is coming, and there’s a real chance key guys likeNakobe Dean and Reed Blankenship walk,” Fly Eagles Fly Bets wrote on its official X account. “If they do, that production doesn’t just replace itself. That’s where the 2025 draft class comes in. Howie Roseman has been on a heater, even if last year’s group didn’t explode right away. But draft classes aren’t judged on Year 1 alone as the biggest leap usually comes from Year 1 to Year 2. The spotlight will be on Jihaad Campbell, who flashed real upside as a rookie when he got his opportunities. But the next expectation? A legit Year 2 jump.”