PHILADELPHIA — Before last season, Eagles fans worried year after year about the team’s linebacker talent not being good enough.
In 2025, it’s no longer a concern.
The Eagles have one of the best LB cores in the NFL —arguably the best.
In his first season playing off-ball linebacker last year, Eagles LB Zack Baun made first-team All-Pro. Nakobe Dean was an above-average starter next to Baun and could still be impactful when he returns from injury.
It doesn’t stop there.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman drafted Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. During training camp, Campbell has looked like a star, and he hasn’t even tapped into his potential yet.
Campbell gives the Eagles three good starting linebackers, and the backups are impressive too. Second-year LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and rookie Smael Mondon Jr. have both played well this summer.
Philadelphia’s defense has more holes this season, but the middle is even stronger and could cover up some issues. It could be the reason Philadelphia sustains its dominance.
The linebackers can shut down the run, cause pressure on quarterbacks and provide great coverage, which is the formula for a great defense.
“Oh, I wouldn’t say stacked. Don’t set me up like that,” Eagles linebackers coach Bobby King said Wednesday when asked about his group’s talent. “We played some decent football last year, and we got to get better this year. Last year’s a distant memory, and we got to keep building.”
King was being modest.
His linebackers were better than decent. They were the strength of the league’s No. 1 defense last season. Baun intercepted Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the Eagles’ Super Bowl victory.
But King wants his players to strive for more. With Campbell a part of the room now, they could be capable of it.
King said Campbell asks great questions in every meeting and has done well balancing his assignments (the Eagles have crossed trained him at linebacker and edge rusher).
“He comes in prepared,” King said. “There’ll be stuff that I haven’t even thought of or not covered. More like second-year college questions. Not freaking eighth grade questions. So that’s pretty cool.”
Eagles safety Reed Blankenship said Campbell looks like a “freak athlete” and has done everything well. But sometimes he yells at the rookie to direct him to the right spot on the field.
King believes Campbell is equipped for instant success — unlike other college LBs. His play style could also make him a fan favorite.
“One of the main things was, these guys in college, sometimes when they get to me, sometimes they’re born without arms,” King said. “And I wanted to see if this guy would use (his hands). And he uses those and he uses them with bad intentions sometimes. And that’s what I like to see. I’ve always said, ‘You got to meet me halfway with taking on blocks.’ And he’s done a nice job with that.”
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Cayden Steele may be reached atCSteele@njadvancemedia.com
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