Jihaad Campbell’s first NFL season ended with a lesson in humility, patience, and film study. After opening eight starts at linebacker, the 21-year-old first-round pick spent most of December and January watching from the sideline as Nakobe Dean reclaimed the job he once lost to a patellar-tendon tear.
At a Glance
- Campbell started 8 games, then lost the role when Dean returned healthier than before
- The rookie logged 514 snaps at linebacker, 150 on the edge, and 41 in the slot
- Dean, now a free agent, is unlikely back after Baun’s $51 million deal and Campbell’s draft investment
- Why it matters: Campbell’s development timeline now dictates the Eagles’ linebacker future
From Starter to Spectator
Campbell’s ascent lasted exactly half a season. Through Week 8 the Trenton, N.J. product led the defense in total snaps among linebackers and graded positively against both run and pass, per News Of Philadelphia-compiled Pro Football Focus data. Then Dean-who had not played since tearing his knee in last January’s wild-card loss to Tampa Bay-returned to practice at full speed.
Head coach Nick Sirianni and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio re-inserted Dean immediately. The former Georgia star responded with 41 tackles, 3 sacks, and an interception in the final nine games, numbers Campbell called “damn-good football.” Campbell, meanwhile, dropped to special-teams duty and situational sub packages.
“I control what I can control,” Campbell said during locker clean-out. “I come in with a smile, ready to work, whatever the role.” The demotion stung, yet Campbell credits his parents for instilling a “neutral mindset” that kept him from spiraling.
Learning Curve in Real Time
The truncated on-field reps still produced growth. Campbell says the biggest adjustment was the mental load: “In college you play Saturday, recover, watch some film, and move on. Here it’s a 24-hour cycle-treatment, practice, meeting, lift, more film-then repeat.”
He estimates he devoted three extra hours per night to the playbook once Dean reclaimed the starting role. Fangio noticed, occasionally pulling Campbell aside to quiz him on blitz angles the veteran coach once drilled into Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman.
“Some of the stuff I was taught I never really knew,” Campbell admitted. “Having a vet DC who coached greats like that-it’s always great to sit down and analyze.”
Positional Swiss-Army Knife
Although drafted as a classic off-ball linebacker, Campbell’s athletic profile-4.48 speed, 34-inch vertical-enticed the staff to experiment. His snap distribution reveals Fangio’s intent:
| Position | Snaps | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Linebacker | 514 | 72 % |
| Edge Rusher | 150 | 21 % |
| Slot Corner | 41 | 6 % |
| Wide/Safety | 6 | 1 % |
Campbell welcomes the variety. “Wherever they put me, I just want to add value,” he said. “Edge, middle, over the tight end-let’s go.”
Dean’s Free-Agency Shadow
Philadelphia’s linebacker room heads into March with a decision that will shape Campbell’s sophomore campaign. Dean, 24, completes his four-year rookie contract and projects to command $10-12 million annually on the open market, per News Of Philadelphia estimates. The Eagles already allocated significant capital to the position: Zack Baun signed a three-year, $51 million extension last March, and Campbell’s first-round draft slot guarantees $12.7 million fully guaranteed.
General manager Howie Roseman historically avoids paying two off-ball linebackers top-tier money. Sources told News Of Philadelphia the club will “monitor the market” on Dean but anticipates he will “probably end up elsewhere,” echoing Campbell’s expectation.
Should Dean depart, Campbell slides back into the starting lineup next to Baun. If Roseman orchestrates a surprise re-signing, Campbell will again compete for rotational work, a scenario the rookie claims he relishes. “Competition breeds excellence,” he said. “You’ll never hear me complain about that.”
Playoff Cameo
Campbell’s postseason exposure lasted one defensive snap in the 23-19 wild-card loss to San Francisco. He played 12 special-teams snaps, registering a tackle on a punt. Dean, nursing a hamstring pull, still logged 57 defensive plays. Campbell called the outcome “frustrating” yet chalked it up to “the business side of football.” He spent the flight home writing notes on 49ers motion concepts he expects to face again.
Off-Season Plan
The rookie has already mapped his spring: return to Trenton for two weeks, then relocate to Phoenix to train at EXOS facility alongside former Alabama teammates. He aims to add five pounds of lean mass while maintaining sub-4.5 speed. “I want to come back bigger, faster, smarter,” he said. “No shortcuts.”
Fangio’s feedback centered on diagnosing play-action quicker and refining blitz timing-skills Campbell believes he can sharpen through film and reps. “Continuous improvement each and every day,” he repeated, echoing a mantra he wrote on the inside of his locker in August.
Key Takeaways
- Campbell’s rookie year delivered eight starts, 701 total snaps, and a front-row education in NFL competition
- Dean’s resurgence and impending free agency leave Campbell poised for a 2026 starting role
- The Eagles have financial leverage to let Dean walk after investing $63 million-plus in Baun and Campbell
- Campbell’s positional flexibility gives Fangio schematic options against spread offenses
- His offseason focus: add strength, study film, and prepare for an expanded role next season
