Eagles LB Room Moves From Liability to NFL's Best
Eagles LB Room Moves From Liability to NFL's Best originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
For decades, the Philadelphia Eagles linebacker room was a revolving door of disappointment. One year it was Alex Singleton trying to fill massive gaps. The next, it was converting safety Nate Gerry to linebacker out of desperation. Veterans like Eric Wilson and Duke Riley came and went without making a lasting impact. The position was treated like an afterthought—the Eagles rarely used draft capital, not selecting a linebacker in the first round from 1979 to 2025.
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That all changed in a stunning two-year transformation. According to Pro Football Focus' latest rankings, the Eagles now boast the NFL's best linebacker unit, spearheaded by 2024's second-highest graded linebacker Zack Baun and rookie first-round pick Jihaad Campbell.
The numbers tell the story of their previous struggles. In 2022, T.J. Edwards earned an 84.4 PFF overall grade—second-best among all linebackers—while recording 158 tackles. But after losing both Edwards and Kyzir White (110 tackles) to free agency, the 2023 season epitomized these struggles. Second-year player Nakobe Dean was named starter and given the green dot to call the defense, but suffered a foot injury in Week 1. The Eagles scrambled with journeymen including Nicholas Morrow, Zach Cunningham, Myles Jack and Christian Elliss—none providing consistent impact.
Determined to fix the position, the Eagles made linebacker a priority in 2024. They signed Zack Baun to a one-year, $3.5 million prove-it deal, brought in veteran Oren Burks and drafted Jeremiah Trotter Jr. in the fifth round. Combined with Dean returning from injury, the Eagles assembled a completely new corps that looked like another collection of question marks.
Everything changed when defensive coordinator Vic Fangio arrived. His system demanded versatile athletes who could cover, blitz, and stop the run with equal effectiveness. At the center of Philadelphia's renaissance stands Baun, whose journey from New Orleans role player to Philadelphia superstar reads like a sports fairy tale. He finished 2024 with a 90.1 PFF overall grade (second among linebackers), recording 151 total tackles, 5 forced fumbles, 3.5 sacks, and 1 interception. In the playoffs, he added 33 tackles and 2 more interceptions, including one in Super Bowl LIX.
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Dean provided the perfect complement, earning a 77.4 PFF grade and ranking 11th among qualified linebackers. The contrast was stark—T.J. Edwards posted a career-worst 60.7 PFF grade in 2024 after leaving Philadelphia, showing how Fangio's system maximized talent. The Eagles rewarded Baun with a three-year, $51 million extension.
The Eagles' commitment to the position when they traded up to select Alabama's Jihaad Campbell with the 31st pick in 2025—their first first-round linebacker since Jerry Robinson from UCLA in 1979. Campbell brings rare versatility at 6-3, 244 pounds, with college numbers of 117 tackles, 5 sacks, and 11½ tackles for loss. He offers similar skillsets to Baun, creating multiple looks for Fangio's defense.
The current room represents perfect construction: Baun as the All-Pro anchor, Campbell as the high-ceiling rookie, Dean as the reliable middle linebacker, Trotter Jr. as the legacy player with high football IQ, Burks as the proven playoff performer, and Smael Mondon Jr. as the developmental prospect. This depth allows exotic blitz packages while ensuring injury protection, as demonstrated when Burks seamlessly replaced Dean during the playoffs.
Linebackers coach Bobby King deserves significant credit for maximizing this diverse group's collective abilities. The transformation becomes even more impressive historically—Campbell and Baun may finally give the Eagles their answer to legendary duos like Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman, bringing speed, versatility, and instincts to the second level.
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The nightmare years of rotating cast members are over. In their place stands a group embodying everything modern NFL linebackers should be: fast, versatile, intelligent, and championship-proven.
Related: New Eagles Corner Speaks Out on Unique Style of Philadelphia Coach Vic Fangio
Related: Eagles Icon Jason Kelce Named Best NFL Draft Steal of the Millennium
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
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