RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesPHILADELPHIA − There are levels to the encouraging signs that Jihaad Campbell is fully healed from offseason shoulder surgery and was ready for the start of training camp.
After all, the Eagles need Campbell to take over at inside linebacker. That's because Nakobe Dean left in free agency to sign with the Raiders , thereby opening a spot for Campbell, who was the Eagles' first-round pick in 2025 (No. 31 overall).
But it was an uneven rookie season for Campbell. Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, in fact, called it "choppy."
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Campbell started the first seven games last season while Dean was recovering from knee surgery. Then Dean returned and quickly took up just about all of Campbell's snaps. So the Eagles tried Campbell at edge rusher, or outside linebacker, the position he played when he first got to Alabama.
Those chances also became sporadic late in the season after the Eagles had traded for Jaelan Phillips, preceded by Brandon Graham deciding to come out of retirement. Then Campbell started the final two games of the regular season at inside linebacker when Dean injured his hamstring.
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In all, Campbell started 10 games last season, played 63% of the defensive snaps.
"It was valuable. Some of it was [not] valuable too," Fangio said. "If you remember, there were a few weeks there where we had to play him at outside linebacker because we ran out of guys. That set him back a little bit as an ILB."
That's why Fangio made it clear that Campbell's days as an edge rusher are pretty much over.
"He may end up there on occasion, but as a full-time player, yes, [they're over]," Fangio said.
Sure, that enables Campbell to focus solely on inside linebacker, where he's expected to start next to Zack Baun and play the vast majority of the defensive snaps.
It also signifies that the Eagles have fortified the edge rusher position.
Remember, when Campbell was drafted, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman made it a point to say Campbell won't be confined to a position, saying that he can play both edge and inside linebacker.
But at 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, Campbell is considered undersized for an edge rusher. And that became apparent going against offensive tackles weighing 100 or more pounds more than he does.
So the Eagles made other plans at edge rusher.
After losing Phillips in free agency, the Eagles traded for Jonathan Greenard, who had 12 and 12.5 sacks in 2023 and 2024 with the Vikings. They also have Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith returning, and added Arnold Ebiketie and A.J. Epenesa in free agency.
And Graham is on speed dial if needed. At least, that's what Roseman insinuated on July 29.
"Obviously you're talking about one of the greatest Eagles players and an unbelievable person," Roseman said on July 29. "Last year, his ability to come back in and help us was huge for our football team. But again, those conversations we'll keep private."
Graham might be needed.
Greenard is on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list with a pectoral muscle strain. Fangio made it seem like Greenard will miss a large portion of training camp. When asked if he expects Greenard to practice before Week 1 of the regular season, Fangio responded: "That remains to be seen."
Even if Greenard isn't ready, the Eagles are still deep enough at edge with Hunt, Smith, Ebiketie and Epenesa to get by for a few weeks. But any further injuries, or a longer recovery time for Greenard, could change things.
Epenesa, who had three straight seasons of 6 to 6.5 sacks from 2022-24 in Buffalo, has made a good early impression.
Epenesa intercepted rookie Cole Payton in the July 30 practice by dropping into coverage, something he wasn't asked to do often with the Buffalo Bills. He also made some plays in the July 29 practice.
"For a guy who's being asked to do a few things that he's never done before, I thought he did a nice job with it," Fangio said. "It was very encouraging."
As for Campbell, he said he's fine focusing solely on inside linebacker.
"Whatever Vic says, he’s the big dog," Campbell said. "I believe in Vic, Coach Fangio, I believe in his process and his understanding of how he actually wants things to look like for his defense. We put all trust in him, and we just go out there and execute."
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Did Eagles clear way for Brandon Graham return in 'choppy' player's role?
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