We’re getting close to Eagles training camp 2025 so we’re taking a look at some notable camp competitions.
Entering the offseason after Super Bowl LIX, the Eagles’ top priority was locking up Zack Baun and they did that with a three-year, $51 million contract extension. So we know the All-Pro is one of their starting inside linebackers in 2025.
Baun can play either linebacker spot, which gives the Eagles some flexibility as they figure out who is going to line up next to him to begin the season. This is a different kind of battle because injuries are going to play a huge role.
Here are the candidates:
Nakobe Dean
Age: 24
Experience: Year 4
Size: 5-11, 231
In his first year as a full-time starter, Dean played really well. He was the Eagles’ starting MIKE linebacker and finally fulfilled his potential as a third-round steal from the 2022 draft. He had 128 tackles, 9 TFLs, 3 sacks and an interception in the regular season. Unfortunately, Dean’s season ended in the wild-card round when he tore his patellar tendon against the Packers. This is a significant injury and while Dean has been working hard to rehab, there’s a very good chance he isn’t ready for training camp or the start of the season. He could start on the PUP list and miss at least four games. This is also a contract year for Dean.
Jihaad Campbell
Age: 21
Experience: Rookie
Size: 6-3, 235
The Eagles had to sweat it out on draft night. They tried for a while to move up to draft Campbell but eventually slid up just one spot to take the Alabama product at No. 31 overall. While the Eagles talked up Campbell’s potential as a pass rusher, they have started him out with the inside linebackers. He had shoulder surgery in March and Vic Fangio said he doesn’t expect him back until August, but at least Campbell was able to participate in some linebacker drills on the last day of spring. If Campbell can get through his rehab and get enough practice reps, he has a good chance of being a Day 1 starter. Campbell has been compared to Baun and haven’t two of those players in the middle of the defense is exciting.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
Age: 22
Experience: Year 2
Size: 6-0, 225
The second-year pro out of Clemson got all the first-team reps during the spring and those reps are extremely valuable. Fangio seems to trust Trotter and he’s a nice fallback option if both Dean and Campbell aren’t healthy for the start of the season. Trotter mostly played special teams as a rookie but showed promise that could translate. After Dean’s injury, Fangio’s plan was to split reps between the veteran Oren Burks and Trotter in the playoffs but then Burks played too well to take him off the field. Had Trotter played in those playoff games, we might be thinking very differently of him right now.
Smael Mondon Jr.
Age: 22
Experience: Rookie
Size: 6-2, 224
The fifth-round pick out of Georgia probably won’t be seriously considered for a starting job but he did get a few first-team reps when Baun was held out of the final day of the spring. Mondon should be a core special teamer in 2025.
Outlook
This is a hard battle to predict because so much of it is simply based on health. Based on what we know about the injuries, it seems more likely that Campbell is ready to return before Dean, giving him the inside track to be the Day 1 starter. But if he doesn’t get enough practice time, there’s a scenario where the Eagles have Trotter out there on Sept. 4. Eventually, the Eagles might have a tough decision if everyone is healthy. Perhaps that’s when Fangio gets creative and finds a way to have Baun, Dean and Campbell on the field together.
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