The Philadelphia Eagles' defense has strength in numbers when it comes to the linebacker position.
And with Jeremiah Trotter Jr. patiently waiting in the wings - a player whose potential is as strong as his Eagles' family lineage - it's time for second-year man Jihaad Campbell to step things up if he wants to remain in the starting lineup long-term.
Week 2 provided another example of what Campbell has brought to the table since being selected late in the 1st round of the 2025 draft by general manager Howie Roseman: Some nice numbers in the box score (six solo tackles, one forced fumble), but inconsistencies in both diagnosing plays and firing to the ball that a player like Trotter is eager to provide.
This Philadelphia defense had that downhill, heat-seeking missile up until this past off-season, when Nakobe Dean moved on to Las Vegas. Campbell is striving to take Dean's place and lock down the job next to Zack Baun at inside linebacker, but those massive hits, the remarkable play recognition and anticipation Dean provided, are sorely missing right now.
And those areas are absolutely redeeming qualities of Trotter..
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. could turn things up a notch for this Eagles defense
The son of famed former Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter is a third-year man out of Clemson. has been the talk of the town in practice, at training camp, and, of course, in-game action in the special teams phase.
Fans saw it in the preseason contest against New England, where he timed it perfectly on a blitz for the sack, and his elite anticipation has been well chronicled all summer long.
Through two games, Campbell has played on the field for 89% of defensive snaps, while Trotter has yet to see a snap on defense. In Week 2 action, Campbell once again surrendered a big completion in coverage in the fourth quarter, and just like in Week 1, there were times throughout the game when the play recognition was a tick or two slow from the former 'Bama backer.
The draft capital Roseman paid for his first-round tag makes Campbell's spot safe, at least for now. And of course, Baun, with his dominant effort through two weeks of the 2026 season, is firmly entrenched inside this defense. But with that heat-seeking element missing alongside #53 in the linebacker unit, it's high time Trotter gets some burn there.
You can't teach size or speed, which Campbell has in spades for a linebacker. But you also can't coach anticipation and natural instincts, along wth intensity and passion, which Trotter oozes at all times.
After all, it's part of his DNA.
The original axe man's son is ready for showtime. His ability to diagnose plays, help lead the charge, and disrupt opposing offenses at the heart of this defense could pay major dividends.
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It's up to defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to make it happen, and soon enough, Trotter might finally be hunting down ball carriers and chopping wood in this defense.
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