The Philadelphia Eagles wrapped up their final day of training camp with a bang, and it wasn’t just the usual hustle and heart that stole the show. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio made a bold depth chart move that has Eagles fans buzzing with excitement for the 2025 season. Rookie first-round pick Jihaad Campbell, a linebacker with electrifying potential, appears to have leapfrogged Jeremiah Trotter Jr. to claim a starting role alongside Zack Baun, signaling a new era for the Eagles’ defense.
Multiple Eagles reporters, including Bleeding Green Nation’s Brandon Lee Gowton and NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Dave Zangaro, noted a significant shift during Wednesday’s practice. For the first time this summer, Campbell took all first-team reps next to Baun in 11-on-11 drills, a clear sign that the rookie has secured a spot in Vic Fangio’s starting lineup. Gowton reported, “Campbell has seemingly overtaken Jeremiah Trotter Jr. on the depth chart,” while Zangaro echoed, “It seems obvious that Campbell is going to start the season next to Baun in Vic Fangio’s defense.”
This isn’t a slight against Trotter, who had a stellar training camp and showed he’s more than capable of anchoring the run defense. Alongside rookie Smael Mondon Jr., Trotter’s performance would’ve likely earned him a starting role on many Eagles teams of the past. But Campbell’s versatility and dynamic skill set have set him apart, making him the clear choice for Fangio’s vision.
From the moment Campbell joined the Eagles after the 2025 NFL Draft, fans knew they had something special. Fast, instinctive, and a natural in pass coverage, Campbell is a rare breed of linebacker who can do it all. He’s not just a run-stopper; he can blitz off the edge to pressure quarterbacks and swat passes in coverage with ease. This multi-dimensional ability gives him an edge over Trotter, whose strength lies primarily in stopping the run.
“Campbell can just do more in the defense than Trotter can right now,” Gowton noted, and it’s hard to argue otherwise. His ability to disrupt plays in multiple facets of the game makes him a perfect fit for Fangio’s scheme, which demands flexibility and playmaking from its linebackers.
The linebacker position was a question mark heading into training camp, with concerns swirling around the recovery of Campbell and Nakobe Dean from injuries, as well as uncertainty about the unit’s depth. But those worries have been emphatically put to rest. The Eagles’ linebacker corps now looks like one of the deepest and most promising on the roster, with Campbell leading the charge, Trotter proving his worth, and rookie Smael Mondon Jr. emerging as a potential star in the making.
Mondon, in particular, has turned heads with his performance at camp, hinting at a bright future. Some analysts are already calling the linebacker group the strongest unit on the Eagles’ defense, a far cry from the uncertainty that loomed just weeks ago.
The bigger question now is whether Campbell can solidify his hold on the starting role. Nakobe Dean, a talented linebacker in his own right, is nearing a return from injury, and his presence could shake things up. Has Campbell done enough to fend off Dean’s challenge? Friday’s preseason finale against the New York Jets might provide the answer. A strong performance could cement Campbell’s place as a cornerstone of the Eagles’ defense for 2025.
Vic Fangio’s decision to elevate Jihaad Campbell isn’t just a depth chart tweak—it’s a statement. The rookie’s rise signals that the Eagles are building a defense that’s fast, versatile, and ready to dominate. With Campbell’s star potential, Trotter’s steady presence, and Mondon waiting in the wings, the linebacker unit is poised to be a force. For Eagles fans, this training camp revelation is a thrilling glimpse of what’s to come in 2025.