The 2026 Philadelphia Eagles are going to be an intriguing team this upcoming season. After winning the NFC East, they saw some massive changes to the roster as they look to get back into the Super Bowl picture. There are a lot of stars still on the roster, but they also have some young players who can step up and have massive seasons. Let’s take a closer look at one breakout candidate for the Philadelphia Eagles as we head towards the 2026 Training Camp portion of the offseason.
Jihaad Campbell named as breakout candidate for the 2026 Philadelphia Eagles
Feb 27, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (LB05) participates in drills during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Philadelphia Eagles have a lot of key players on the roster, but they have some players who could step up. The Athletic’s staff wrote a piece where each beat reporter named one player who could have a breakout 2026 season. Philadelphia Eagles reporter Zach Berman chose linebacker Jihaad Campbell and wrote the following:
“The Eagles let Nakobe Dean leave in free agency with the plan of turning over the starting spot to Campbell, a 2025 first-round pick. Campbell’s hard-to-find physical tools stand out in the middle of the defense, where his 6-3, 235-pound frame and 4.52-second 40-yard dash offer a different flavor than Dean. Campbell has the length and range to be a force in coverage, and the Eagles think there’s a burgeoning pass-rush skill set.
“Campbell started 10 games last season and played 63 percent of the defensive snaps, but the defense was clearly better with Dean on the field. With a full year in the scheme and adjusting to the NFL, Campbell could make strides in Year 2 next to Zack Baun. He missed offseason workouts while recovering from shoulder surgery, but he’ll return in time for the season. The opportunity is present for a breakout.”
Jihaad Campbell had a respectable rookie season in 2025. He played in all 17 games (10 starts) and recorded 80 total tackles (44 solo, 36 assists) with three pass deflections, one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two tackles for loss, and one quarterback hit. He is projected to be the Philadelphia Eagles’ middle linebacker for the 2026 season, and could be a significant breakout candidate for the reigning NFC East Champions.
It will be intriguing to see how the Philadelphia Eagles look with Jihaad Campbell having a massive role in their defense for the 2026 season.
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