Philadelphia, PA – June 12, 2025
He hasn’t even suited up for a preseason game, but Jihaad Campbell is already sending shockwaves through the NovaCare Complex.
Selected 31st overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2025 NFL Draft, Campbell has yet to participate in a full practice. A shoulder surgery in March has kept him sidelined during OTAs. But don’t mistake absence for irrelevance — the rookie linebacker’s presence is being felt loud and clear inside the Eagles' facility.
“He’s in every meeting, front row, asking the right questions,” said defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. “He’s not waiting to get healthy to start learning. That tells you something.”
The Eagles officially inked Campbell to a four-year, $14.9 million fully guaranteed contract this week, cementing their belief in his long-term value. His recovery is expected to wrap before training camp, but even while in rehab mode, his impact is already shaping how Fangio and the coaching staff envision this defense evolving.
At Alabama, Campbell was a menace — 117 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks in 2024 alone. Scouts raved about his range, explosiveness, and ability to line up anywhere from MIKE to EDGE. He’s been compared to Micah Parsons in both versatility and upside.
The Eagles' linebacker room is in flux. Nakobe Dean remains a medical question mark, and free agent addition Zack Baun is best used as a blitzer. Campbell, meanwhile, has all the traits of a modern NFL chess piece. “I see a guy who can be our tone-setter,” said Fangio. “When he’s ready, he’s not just playing — he’s leading.”
Even veterans are taking notice. “He asks questions like a seven-year vet,” safety Reed Blankenship said. “It’s rare. Real rare.”
Fans have already taken to social media to debate Campbell’s potential: “We may have just drafted the next Dawkins of the front seven,” one user posted. Another countered, “Can we at least see him on the field before building the statue?”
But hype doesn’t come from nowhere. Jihaad Campbell is already challenging Fangio’s schemes, pushing teammates in the film room, and redefining expectations for rookie defenders in Philly.
He may not have played a snap — but Jihaad Campbell is already one of the most important players on the Eagles roster.
