Here’s where the world’s best job can sometimes feel rather taxing. Emotion must be abandoned in favor of the facts. Rather than calling things that are not as they are, responsibility suggests it’s more important to call things as one sees them.
There isn’t a Philadelphia Eagles fan or media member who doesn’t love Nakobe Dean, but let’s be real here. This could be his final season with the Eagles. This could be Nakobe Dean’s swan song in the City of Brotherly Love. It becomes increasingly more challenging to argue for him on the roster past this season.
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None of us wants to admit this, but none of the apparent signs point towards an extension. His two most recent seasons ended in trips to the injured reserve. He will start the 2025 campaign on the physically unable to perform list. Although he claims he’ll return by Week 5, there has been no confirmation from Philadelphia’s medical staff.
Artificial intelligence suggests that, after a torn patellar tendon in his left knee, the typical timetable for a full return to action in sports is generally nine to 12 weeks. Variables such as age, tear location, previous injury, and commitment to rehabilitation and strengthening can also affect the timeline.
Dean’s injury occurred on January 12, so we’re right in line with that theory, but there’s something to consider. There are no guarantees that Dean will experience the same success, and for someone who relies on it, that isn’t encouraging.
From a roster standpoint. In addition to having a First-Team All-Pro on the roster in Zack Baun, Philadelphia has three gifted youngsters who are all still being paid by the terms of their rookie deals. That begs two questions.
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First, why would the Eagles extend Nakobe Dean when other core players need to be paid soon? Second, why open the wallet for Dean when Smael Mongon, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., and Jihaad Campbell are all healthy, less expensive, and younger?
Given the current trend, once Dean returns to action, Campbell will already have the starting job entrenched. Dean has earned his wings. He’s an Eagle through and through, but the future seems clear. This could be his swan song with the Eagles organization.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles’ 2025 season could be Nakobe Dean’s final year in Philadelphia