LANDOVER, Md. — Over the last month, Eagles rookie pick Jihaad Campbell has had plenty of opportunities to complain about losing playing time.
Instead, Campbell, a first-round pick, has remained positive despite being benched, keeping a positive attitude and continuing to work hard.
“I’m a 21-year-old linebacker in the NFL, so damn sure got a bright future ahead of me,” Campbell told NJ Advance Media on Saturday after the team’s victory over the Washington Commanders.
Fourth-year linebacker Nakobe Dean missed the first five weeks of this season recovering from last year’s knee injury and was not given a full workload until after the Week 9 bye. Once he replaced Campbell as the starter last month, the Eagles’ defense improved against the run and with its blitzing, two facets of the game that remain unpolished for Campbell.
He has great long-term upside because of his coverage skills, but he will need to grow as a run defender to reach his full potential. According to Pro Football Focus metrics, he ranks 45th out of 85 linebackers in run defense.
“I’m not perfect,” Campbell said. “Just learning from the greats, right? Even from the linebackers we got (on our team). Learning from a guy like (Commanders linebacker) Bobby Wagner, who we just played. Just learning and finding different ways and finding different tools to not just focus on one area, but focus on the overall picture of, ‘Okay, what is linebacker actually? What is their job? What is their task?’”
When Dean suffered a game-ending hamstring injury in the first quarter against the Commanders, Campbell was thrust into the regular lineup for the first time in six weeks. The rookie played 36 defensive snaps in four quarters, recording six tackles and one tackle for loss.
From Week 10 to Week 15, Campbell only played 46 defensive snaps and was primarily used on special teams.
“It’s all about being prepared for those moments, for those opportunities that will present itself (on defense), so I know what’s going on and so I can be trusted,” Campbell said about the biggest thing he has learned since getting benched.
In his eight games as a starter, Campbell recorded 45 tackles and one interception.
His best plays came in coverage, including in Week 1 when he ran step-for-step with Cowboys tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford downfield to break up quarterback Dak Prescott’s deep ball. He hopes to build off those moments and also develop more consistency.
“I’m never satisfied,” he explained. “Definitely got to keep on improving my whole play style. I’m going to continue to do that with the help of the coaches and watching more film. I just want to be the best version of myself so I can be the best one day.”
Dean has become one of the NFL’s best linebackers over the past two years, so his playing time is deserved. As a free agent this offseason, Dean will be considered one of the top defensive players available and command a big contract, forcing the Eagles into a tough decision about his future.
Next season, the Eagles could slide Campbell back into the starting lineup.
It would be a downgrade for the sake of saving money. Campbell still has a long way to go until he reaches Dean’s level.
“It’s always a pleasure to watch his tape,” Campbell said about Dean. “Watching ZB’s (Eagles linebacker Zack Baun) tape, too. This game is all about learning and applying it. I want to make those splash plays, those big plays to move forward along with the whole defense.”