An elevating linebacker group provides the Eagles with a wealth of solid options

USA Today

14 hours ago

Continuous and constant improvement from the Eagles' linebacker corps gives Philadelphia a wealth of options at the position
Long ago, the Philadelphia Eagles slapped the franchise tag on Jeremiah Trotter Sr., and that led to one of the ugliest standoffs between a player and the organization in franchise history. He'd leave to join the rival franchise in Washington, where he'd play for two seasons (2202-2003), but he returned home in 2004 to help lead the team that drafted him to a Super Bowl appearance.
In total, 'The Axe Man' played 127 games spread over eight seasons for the Birds. That includes 11 postseason games. Fast forward to the present, and his son is on the roster.
Trotter Jr. wears the number 54 jersey, just like his father. He's a part of what has evolved into an impressive linebacker corps. It's hard not to love this Howie Roseman. He's handing out rich deals to Saquon Barkley. He paid a linebacker for goodness' sake, but how do you not pay Zack Baun? Have you seen what that guy has morphed into?
Zack Baun leads an Eagles LB corps that is now one without rival in professional football
Zack Baun's story is one we'll sit in the rocking chair and tell the grandchildren about one day. A one-year, prove-it deal was handed to a guy we weren't sure would make the roster. Following a position switch, he's now one of the best players in the game at his position. And, he isn't alone.
Nakobe Dean's most recent season ended with an injury. His estimated timetable for returning to the active roster is unknown. He's a banger, though. He puts it all on the line, as do others playing at Philadelphia's second level, but while he's been absent, the green dot that was once on the back of his helmet is being worn by the second-year guy, Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
In the second game of the preseason slate, a 22-13 loss to the Cleveland Browns, Trotter led all Eagles tacklers with six total stops. Three of his tackles were of the solo variety.
He and rookie Jihaad Campbell carried the momentum they've been building all summer into the contest. The latter finished his day of work with four tackles (three were solo stops), a sack, a tackle for loss, and an additional hit on the quarterback.
Smael Mondon is another member of the Eagles' 2025 draft class. He finished with the second-highest tackle total on the day, five stops.
All of Mondon's tackles were solo takedowns. No other Eagle produced more. He's so good, but his career figures to begin with a heavy special teams workload as there aren't enough defensive snaps to go around.
Many shared the theory that it was a foregone conclusion that Baun and the rookie Campbell would take up residency as the starting linebackers, but Trotter has been very impressive. How does one justify relegating him to reserve duty now?
Place all of that in the pressure cooker. Stir it up. Here's what one comes up with. This is what one might call 'having a good problem'.
There's a lot to think about and a wealth of options for Philadelphia at the defense's second level. We've come a long way from the Andy Reid era and the Jim Schwartz philosophy, when it was believed the Eagles put little stock into improving themselves at the linebacker position.
Again, no one knows when Nakobe Dean will be cleared for contact and return to the lineup, but here's what we can guarantee. When he does return, he'll be part of a linebacker corps that is better than when he left.
This is year four and a contract season. He isn't guaranteed anything past whatever turns out to be the final Eagles game, but here's what we can guarantee. That should make for some interesting conversations throughout the campaign.