Think of it this way, say the players on the Eagles' defense, the one that is coming off back-to-back dominating performances in victories over Green Bay and Detroit, following strong outings in wins against Minnesota and the New York Giants: Adding linebacker Nakobe Dean back to the lineup is like bringing a coach.
One who almost knows what the offense is going to do before it happens, with the ability to strike like a cobra on the field.
"He makes a difference because he's always in the right place at the right time and he is going to get to the football," said Reed Blankenship of Dean, who is in fine form having started the last three games – all Eagles wins – following a stint on the Physically Unable to Perform list while he recovered from a knee injury suffered in last year's postseason. "He just makes plays. He's a leader on this defense. We kind of go through him when he's out there."
That much is true. Dean suffered a patellar tendon injury in the 2024 playoff win over Green Bay and missed the remainder of the run through Super Bowl LIX, and then worked his tail off in the offseason and through the opening five weeks of the season rehabbing the injury.
Dean made his 2025 debut in the October 9 loss at the Giants, but played only on special teams. In Week 6, he saw action on 31 defensive snaps and, not surprisingly, the Eagles' defense had a strong performance. Minnesota managed just 89 rushing yards, the Eagles had two takeaways – one a Jalyx Hunt interception for a touchdown – and Philadelphia permitted just one touchdown on six Vikings trips to the red zone.
The defense has only gotten better as Dean has ramped up his reps working in the linebacker rotation. He and rookie sensation Jihaad Campbell have split snaps as Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio has perfectly worked both into situations, and Dean's productivity has been outstanding.
Philadelphia's run defense since Dean has returned has been substantial – the Eagles allowed 127 rushing yards per game and 4.7 yards per carry when Dean was on PUP – and in the games since he's been in the lineup, that yards per game is down below 85 per game. Detroit, an outstanding ground-attack team, picked up only 74 yards on 21 carries in the Eagles' 16-9 win on Sunday night.
"I've felt great getting back out there and working into the game with the guys," said Dean, who had a critical fourth-quarter sack off a blitz Sunday night. "Coach Vic is putting me in great position and the guys around me are playing well, so I'm just doing my job. I know what we're trying to do out there. Stop the run first and then get after the quarterback and our goal is to just keep improving.
"Defense, man, you have to be on the same page and we've been doing that. It is a collective effort. It is never about one person or one thing. We understand that. We know our roles, so that makes it easier for all of us. Just go out there and do your job."
Dean does it extremely well. He is a missile on the field, a downhill linebacker in the mold of the way Jeremiah Trotter used to do it when the late Jim Johnson was the coordinator. But where Trotter was 250-ish pounds, Dean is a 5-feet-11, 231-pound wrecking ball who is able to strike quickly and get underneath blockers.
His tackling this season has been terrific and he has helped up the tempo for a defense that has things cooking in a big way.
"Always great to have him on the field," Head Coach Nick Sirianni said. "Guys love playing with and for Nakobe, so love that linebacker group that we have. It's great to have him back on the field contributing. Obviously, he's been very important for us for the past four years, and again, works his butt off, always constantly preparing, doing all the necessary things that getting better requires. Just love having him back and ready to go."
There is a lot of football to be played in 2025 and the key for Dean is to stay healthy and on the field. The more he is out there, the more great things are going to happen for the Eagles and this defense.
"When you don't play, it sucks. You're over there working and trying to get ready to get back out there and join the guys. It's part of the game, but it still sucks," Dean said. "So, I'm enjoying every bit of this. It's a blessing and I'm going to keep working hard, doing what I can to help this team win. That is the fun part of it all. Playing in this defense, it's just fun. More than anything we're having fun out there and I think you can see that with the way we play."
