The Philadelphia Eagles ability to defend their Super Bowl championship is going to depend on defense.
And the potential problem there is that it’s the defense which lost a lot of talent this offseason. The offense is almost fully intact from the group that helped hoist the Lombardi Trophy. The defense has more new faces.
The key new face that could make it all be just fine: Jihaad Campbell.
The linebacker was the No. 31 overall pick out of Alabama in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Eagles traded up one spot just to be absolutely sure they got him. He was coming off of shoulder surgery, but that didn’t deter Philly.
And he had a stellar debut against the Dallas Cowboys in a season-opening win that provided proof of concept.
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Why Jihaad Campbell is key to Eagles’ defense
Campbell gives the Eagles a second star linebacker after the 2024 emergence of Zack Baun.
ESPN’s Tim McManus explained in a new blurb on Tuesday just how crucial Campbell can be:
“The rookie out of Alabama played all but five snaps on defense. He was credited with a key forced fumble in the second half that thwarted a promising Cowboys drive. He finished with three tackles and did not allow a reception the two times he was targeted in the passing game. Campbell’s most memorable play was a pass breakup deep down the seam, where he stayed stride for stride with tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford and denied a pinpoint pass from Dak Prescott. The linebacker tandem of Campbell and Zack Baun has the potential to be one of the best in the league.”
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Campbell and Baun can make everything around them click.
The Eagles have plenty of defensive star power, with Jalen Carter and Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell, among others.
But it’s those quarterbacks in the middle of the defense that can put it all together.
Campbell looks ready to join Baun in making this all click.
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