As the Philadelphia Eagles soar into the 2025 NFL season, fresh off their 2024 Super Bowl triumph, their depth chart appears locked and loaded. With 10 of 11 offensive starters returning, both their kicker and punter back in the fold, and a deep defensive roster primed for bigger roles, the Eagles are a force to be reckoned with. But don’t be fooled by the apparent stability—training camp is brewing some fierce positional battles that could shake up the starting lineup before their Week 1 clash with the Dallas Cowboys.
While the Eagles’ roster is stacked, no one is untouchable. Even expected starters could find themselves on the chopping block if they falter or if an underdog surges ahead. General Manager Howie Roseman and Head Coach Nick Sirianni have tough choices to make as they finalize the 53-man roster, and two key battles are stealing the spotlight. Will fan-favorite stories prevail, or will rising stars seize the moment? Let’s dive into the two starters who could lose their spots—and the challengers ready to take them down.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr.’s Feel-Good Story Faces a Fierce Challenger
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., affectionately dubbed “Axman Jr.,” is a name that resonates deeply with Eagles fans. The son of a franchise legend, his rise to a first-string linebacker role feels like destiny—a full-circle moment two decades in the making. Stepping in for the injured Nakobe Dean, who suffered a season-ending playoff injury, Trotter Jr. has been holding his own alongside Zach Baun in Vic Fangio’s defense. Learning from one of the NFL’s premier off-ball linebackers, Trotter Jr. is soaking up the nuances of a Super Bowl-caliber unit. But his grip on the starting spot is far from secure.
Enter Jihad Campbell, the rookie first-round pick who’s turning heads and threatening to steal the show. Campbell’s versatility has sparked chatter about a hybrid role, blending off-ball coverage with edge-rushing duties. However, Fangio’s recent comments suggest the Eagles are focusing on Campbell as an inside linebacker to avoid overwhelming the young star. “We’re probably a little guilty of putting too much on his plate,” Fangio admitted during a Monday media session. “He needs work at [inside linebacker]. Time is running out, and we haven’t coached him up enough to play the edge the way we want.”
Campbell’s emergence puts Trotter Jr. on notice. While Trotter’s story tugs at the heartstrings, Campbell’s raw talent could elevate him to not just a starter but potentially the best off-ball linebacker in the game. If Campbell finds his groove, Trotter Jr. might be relegated to a reserve role, fighting for snaps in subpackages. The Eagles’ linebacker room is a pressure cooker, and only the strongest will emerge as Week 1 starters.
Kelee Ringo’s CB2 Dreams Under Siege
The cornerback position is another battleground where an expected starter’s job is anything but guaranteed. Kelee Ringo, a 22-year-old athletic freak, was the presumed frontrunner to replace Darius Slay as the CB2 after Slay’s release earlier this offseason. With only 311 defensive snaps in his NFL career, Ringo’s raw potential made him a tantalizing prospect for a long-term role. But training camp has exposed his inexperience, and a veteran is hot on his heels.
Adoree’ Smith, signed as a potential inside-out reserve, has crashed the CB2 conversation with authority. With over 5,294 defensive snaps since 2017, Smith brings a wealth of experience that Ringo simply can’t match. While Ringo’s youth and athleticism scream upside, Smith’s polish and consistency are making a strong case. The Eagles’ coaching staff would love for Ringo to seize the role, locking in a cost-controlled starter through 2026. But what if neither player meets Fangio’s sky-high standards?
Complicating matters, Roseman recently traded for former Las Vegas Raiders starter Jakorian Bennett, signaling that the Eagles aren’t just padding depth—they’re intensifying the competition. With five viable cornerbacks already on the roster (excluding Cooper DeJean), this move suggests a lack of confidence in Ringo’s readiness. Sirianni, speaking on Tuesday, embraced the battle: “You love having battles. Adoree’ makes a play, Kelee makes a play—you see it. They’re doing a really nice job, and we’re excited about how they’ve worked all offseason.”
The CB2 spot is a high-stakes gamble. If Ringo can’t step up, or if Smith’s veteran savvy prevails, the Eagles’ secondary could look very different come Week 1. And with Bennett in the mix, opposing quarterbacks might not have an easy target to exploit after all.
Honorable Mention: Elijah Cooks’ Dark Horse Rise
While not a starter, wide receiver Elijah Cooks is the ultimate wildcard to watch. The former Jacksonville Jaguars UDFA, now with the Eagles, has been turning heads with his jaw-dropping body control. Cooks, a San Jose State product, has a knack for turning 50-50 balls into 70-30 wins, a skill he credits to his basketball background. “Going up and getting them 50-50 balls is my specialty,” Cooks told NBC Sports Philadelphia. “I did it in college, tried to transition it into the league.”
Cooks isn’t challenging superstars like AJ Brown or DeVonta Smith, but he could make a case for the WR3 role, potentially leapfrogging Jahan Dotson and Johnny Wilson. If he continues his torrid pace, Cooks might not only secure a spot on the 53-man roster but emerge as a legitimate playmaker, possibly at the expense of someone like Ainias Smith.
As the Eagles finalize their 53-man roster, the battles at linebacker and cornerback will shape their 2025 campaign. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Kelee Ringo are clinging to their starting roles, but Jihad Campbell and Adoree’ Smith are knocking loudly. With Elijah Cooks lurking as a potential breakout star, the Eagles’ depth chart is anything but set in stone. Roseman and Sirianni face brutal decisions, and for some players, there will be no second chances. Week 1 against the Cowboys will reveal who rises to the occasion—and who gets left behind.