It's not even training camp but Eagles are already the best at a position group

One of the biggest question mark position groups on the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles unit was at linebacker. That is no longer the case.

Zack Baun's emergence from a former backup in New Orleans to All-Pro status changed the views of the Eagles' linebackers. Nakobe Dean's breakout season also helped in making the group one of the best in the NFL.

Pro Football Focus writer Dalton Wasserman had no problems crowning the Eagles' linebackers the best in the NFL in their latest rankings.

"Philadelphia holds the top spot in these rankings with a stacked linebacker unit that only got better this offseason. They handed Zack Baun a well-deserved contract extension after he finished 2024 with a league-leading 90.2 PFF overall grade. Nakobe Dean wasn’t far behind, placing 11th among qualified linebackers (77.4).

The team drafted insurance for Dean’s postseason injury in Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell, who was the 2025 class' best linebacker. Youngsters Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Smael Mondon Jr. also provide quality depth."

How good can this Eagles linebacker room be in 2025?

Philadelphia boasts a solid defensive line, led by Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis. The secondary, similar to the linebackers, had breakout performances from Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean last year. Edge rushers are the only big question entering the season with Nolan Smith Jr. leading the way.

What helps the linebackers is Baun. He managed to get Eagles general manager Howie Roseman to do something that he has rarely done in his career: extend a linebacker. It has never really been a valuable position for Roseman so for him to give Baun a big contract after the Super Bowl speaks volumes to the impact of him.

Baun and Dean were valuable members of the defense for multiple reasons. Stats-wise, they were the top two tacklers on the team, so they were everywhere to stop the run. They also prove to be perfect fits for Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, in that they are versatile. Baun and Dean can stop the run and drop back into coverage to shut down tight ends.

With Oren Burks off the roster, Eagles fans will be fascinated to see how Trotter steps up, as he was more of a special teams player a season ago. Campbell and Dean's injuries could lead to Trotter receiving early-season starts or, at the very least, a heavier defensive snap load.

Rookies Campbell and Mondon certainly will make an interesting duo at inside linebacker in their first seasons, to see how much they play. Campbell, being a first-round pick, should play more and ease into potentially becoming an edge rusher in the future. Mondon is a typical Georgia Bulldog defender that Eagles fans know Roseman loves, so he should find his footing on special teams in 2025 and elevate similarly to Trotter.

If the linebackers can get healthy in time for the start of the 2025 season, the Eagles look loaded at the position. They also need their youth to step up and live up to their expectations.