Why It's Unlikely The Eagles Can Bring Back Nakobe Dean

The simplest way to keep all three is to carve out meaningful roles for each, worthy of starting-level salaries. 

That said, Fangio has admitted he can’t play three off-ball LBs against modern offenses, meaning one of three would have to drop down as an overhang player in such a circumstance.

Baun could do it but then you take away some of the havoc he can create on the second level while Dean is a more traditional stacked ILB.

That leaves Campbell and GM Howie Roseman emphasized his upside as a potential edge player after selecting the Alabama product.

However, it was a slow start in that regard for the first-round pick, who played 150 snaps at the line of scrimmage last season, according to Pro Football Focus.

Campbell topped out at 28 reps on the defensive front against the Vikings.

At the time, the Eagles were light on the edge before convincing Brandon Graham to return from a short retirement, trading for Jaelan Phillips, and getting back Nolan Smith from a triceps injury.

After the game against Minnesota, Campbell played only 40 snaps the rest of the season as an overhang player and Fangio noted the cross-training somewhat affected the rookie’s progress off the ball.

All of that means there is likely only one way to carry all three LBs again for the Eagles in 2026: a soft market for Dean in free agency due to his injury history dating back to Georgia, which has been supplemented by two serious injuries in Philadelphia, a Lisfranc foot injury, and the patellar tendon. 

A one-year, prove-it deal could keep Dean with the Eagles in 2026. Other than that, It’s hard to imagine Roseman and the Eagles going for multiple years at starter’s money with Campbell’s upside in the bullpen.