Who knows where this shift in philosophy originated? Maybe Howie Roseman has been listening to Nick Sirianni more often. Maybe Vic Fangio informed the Philadelphia Eagles that linebackers are more critical than the former business model suggested.

Last offseason, the Birds backed up the Brinks truck and dumped some cash on Saquon Barkley. He inked a three-year $37.75 million deal. $26 million, of which $16 million was guaranteed over the first two years.

Advertisement

On March 4, he signed a two-year, $41.2 million contract extension with the Eagles that includes $36 million guaranteed and up to $15 million more in incentives. Both moves were shocks to the system. When did Philadelphia start paying running backs?

There has been an ongoing adrenaline rush since Barkley’s arrival, but Zack Baun’s acquisition and unexpected rise might be the defensive equivalent. After signing a one-year contract with Philadelphia on March 13, 2024, Vic Fangio transformed Baun into a Pro Bowler and First-Team All-Pro. For his efforts, he was given a three-year, $51 million contract.

Jihaad Campbell makes his emotional and heartfelt pledge to the Eagles community.

If you’re new to this, you may be asking yourselves what the big deal is. The Eagles paid big money to an excellent running back and linebacker. So what?

Advertisement

The answer is simple. These are moves the Birds don’t make, but here’s the kicker. This past April, they drafted a linebacker in Round 1!

Okay, the world has ended… Are we dreaming? Are we going to wake up and realize we just Rip Van Winkled the past year or so?

Naturally, we aren’t counting Nolan Smith like a traditional linebacker when we say this, even though he is listed as a linebacker on the depth chart, but before acquiring Jihaad Campbell 31st overall, the Eagles haven’t drafted a linebacker in Round 1 of any NFL Draft since they added Jerry Robinson in 1979.

Campbell has top-15-level talent when healthy, but an injury contributed to him sliding to the end of the first round. He’ll miss some time early, but he wants Birds fans to know they are already near and dear to his heart.

Advertisement

While speaking with Dave Spadaro, he was asked whether he had a preference for his role and what type of football player he aspired to be. He offered a heartfelt response, one that should resonate with football’s most loyal fan base:

“(The role) is for the coaches to decide, not me. I’m going to give it my all no matter how they decide to use me on the field. I feel like I’m a versatile player, and I know I’m going to learn every day from the guys on this defense.

It is going to be hard work. I know that. I want to be the best player I can be, help the defense, help the Eagles win games. That’s the role I want to have. As far as a position, nah. Let’s just play football.”

In terms of how he wants to be viewed, his words were even more impressive. What kind of Eagles does he want to be? Let him tell you:

What else needs to be said? We’re sold, and we echo his previous statement. Let’s just play football! The 2025-26 NFL season can’t get here fast enough.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Jihaad Campbell’s emotional pledge echoes across Eagles Nation