Jihaad Campbell proved what the NFL already knew in Eagles debut

Game 1 was far from perfect for Philly’s defense as a whole, from Jalen Carter’s ridiculous pregame spitting match that led to an ejection, to serious struggles at the No. 2 cornerback spot. But it’s clear that the Eagles have an embarrassment of riches at inside linebacker, with Nakobe Dean scheduled to join the active roster as soon as Week 5.

What does Jihaad Campbell’s sterling NFL debut mean for Nakobe Dean’s future with Philadelphia Eagles?

There was similar hype around cornerback Quinyon Mitchell following his first NFL start in 2024, and Eagles fans know how that played out. Mitchell wound up leading every Eagles defender in total snaps during the regular season.

Don’t be surprised if Campbell gets a similar treatment in the middle of Vic Fangio’s defense this year. The pairing with Baun has elite written all over it. If anything, Campbell stepping in as an impact starter from Day 1 clears the runway for Dean to ramp up his practice reps appropriately next month.

It’s also worth noting that Azeez Ojulari, Philadelphia’s $4 million EDGE rusher, was a healthy scratch for Game 1. Joshua Uche fared well in a situational pass rushing role in support of starters Nolan Smith Jr. and Jalyx Hunt against the Cowboys, but the Eagles obviously lack depth at the position, and Dean’s return provides a potential solution, with Campbell moving outside.

Fangio discussed that very situation during a July press conference at the NovaCare Complex.

“That’s something that he could possibly do. We have fronts where those guys move up on the line, and then because of his background, again, depending on how the roster shakes out and who’s playing, (EDGE) might be a position we need to play him at some point.”

A lot could change over the course of three weeks. All we can go off is Game 1, and the Eagles appear to have yet another young franchise pillar in the making in the 21-year-old Campbell.