Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp is just about a week away as players report to the NovaCare Complex on Tuesday, July 22.
PhiladelphiaEagles.com is previewing the top storylines at each position, with today's focus coming on the linebackers. The linebacker corps is led by All-Pro and Defensive Player of the Year finalist Zack Baun, but there is a lot of talent behind him.
Did You Know?
Baun's 150 regular-season tackles last season were the second most by an Eagles linebacker since 1994. Baun also forced a turnover in his first four postseason starts, becoming the second linebacker in the NFL since 1991 to accomplish that feat.
Returning Starters
Baun and Nakobe Dean were both full-time starters who are back with the Birds in 2025. Both players had breakout seasons, however Dean's was cut short after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Divisional Round against the Green Bay Packers.
With Baun and Dean leading the way, Philadelphia had one of its most prolific linebacking seasons in franchise history. The tandem combined for 278 regular-season tackles while forcing game-changing turnovers throughout the year.
Baun established himself as one of the top defensive players in the NFL and was rewarded with a lucrative three-year contract ahead of Free Agency. After spending his first four seasons as a hybrid linebacker and special teamer for the New Orleans Saints, Baun earned the starting off-ball job in Philly and didn't look back.
In the Mix
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Dallas Gant are two second-year players returning to the fold in 2025.
Trotter, a fifth-round pick, played a reserve role for Philly last season but got the start in Week 18 against the New York Giants, where he tallied 11 tackles. Gant was signed to the Eagles' practice squad during the season and was elevated for two games.
New to the Nest
The Eagles bolstered their linebacker room in the 2025 Draft, trading up to select Alabama standout Jihaad Campbell No. 31 overall. Philadelphia didn't stop there, taking Smael Mondon in the fifth round and signing Lance Dixon as an undrafted free agent.
Campbell is coming off an All-American season with the Crimson Tide where he had 117 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks. The Eagles were aggressive in their pursuit of Campbell, attempting to trade up for him numerous times before striking a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Campbell showed pass rush juice at Alabama and could help as an edge rusher, but Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio said he will start getting snaps at inside linebacker. Campbell is recovering from a shoulder injury that kept him out of Mandatory Minicamp.
Mondon was a three-year starter at Georgia and overlapped with current Eagles Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, Kelee Ringo, and Dean with the Bulldogs. He finished his college career with 213 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and eight sacks.
Bird Call
"I think about what we did in one year with so many new pieces, coaches and players included, and I think about my own personal development in that same sense, where if I can move off the ball and play inside linebacker and do what I did and that was my starting point, I'm excited about this team and this defense moving forward. I'm really excited to build on what we did last year." – Zack Baun
Storylines to Follow
Who will step up as a potential starter if Dean and/or Campbell aren't healthy? ... Can Baun build off his strong first year at linebacker?
How Many Made the Initial 53 in 2024? 5
— Written by Matt Ryan
