Eagles' 12 most intriguing players in 2025: How our No. 12 player is a Zack Baun clone
In Campbell, a South Jersey native, the Eagles saw an edge rusher who played inside linebacker in his final season at Alabama. It was the same way the year before when the Eagles signed a little-known, backup edge rusher and special teams ace in Baun.
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That's when Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio decided to try Baun at inside linebacker. The results were better than anyone could have hoped for. Baun finished with 151 tackles, 3½ sacks, was selected to the Pro Bowl, named a first-team All-Pro, and was a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year.
In Campbell, the Eagles see Baun 2.0. As in, two Bauns are better than one when it comes to having versatile players who can both rush the passer from the edge and stop the run and cover receivers from the inside linebacker spot.
And the Eagles are going to need Campbell. That is, as soon as he's cleared to play after having shoulder surgery in March.
That's why Campbell is No. 12 in our Eagles' list of 12 most intriguing Eagles heading into the start of training camp on July 22. We're counting them down each weekday from No. 12 to No. 1, beginning July 7 and culminating with the start of camp.
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Campbell doesn't see his role as being that complicated.
"I think it's being like a dominant force for the defense," he said. "Just put me wherever, finding different schemes for me to play and make an impact."
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The Eagles plan to do just that. That explains why Eagles general manager Howie Roseman refused to give Campbell a set position when asked about him as an off-ball linebacker.
"I don't want to put this player in that box," Roseman said. "This guy can grow into anything you want."
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The question is when.
Jihaad Campbell (11) of the Alabama Crimson Tide returns an interception against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Sept. 28, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
During the spring, Fangio said Campbell won't be cleared to practice until August, meaning that Campbell might not be ready to play Week 1 when the Eagles open the regular season against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 4.
The Eagles also have Nakobe Dean at inside linebacker. But Dean is recovering from a torn patellar tendon suffered last January in the playoffs. It's not known when Dean will be able to return. But Fangio said Dean "won't be back for a while," a likely indication that it won't be in time for Week 1.
But that's not why the Eagles need Campbell so badly, although it should be noted that Dean will be eligible for free agency after this season. And the Eagles did draft two other linebackers in each of the past two seasons, both in the fifth round, in Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (2024) and Smael Mondon (2025). They also signed Baun to a three-year extension worth as much as $51 million.
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Rather, let Baun explain why Campbell will quickly become a key to the Eagles' defense.
"He's a versatile guy that can do a lot of different things," Baun said. "It sounds like a great thing being a utility-knife type of guy. But it's a blessing and a curse because of the responsibility and the knowledge that comes with that.
"As much as he can handle and put on his plate, I'm sure they will push that."
That began during the spring, when Campbell watched practice while taking part in individual drills during the one-day mandatory minicamp on June 10.
Fangio admitted that Campbell's NFL education is beginning at linebacker, saying "there's a lot more to learn there."
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From there, Campbell could eventually progress into a Baun clone. For the Eagles, the sooner, the better.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl. Read his coverage of the Eagles' championship season in 'Flying High,' a new hardcover coffee-table book from Delaware Online/The News Journal. Details at Fly.ChampsBook.com
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Jihaad Campbell: Philadelphia Eagles most intriguing players 2025 season
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