The Philadelphia Eagles are going into the 2025 season with high hopes and a lot of young talent on the roster.
Most of the top veterans on the defensive side of the ball have departed, with Brandon Graham retiring, Darius Slay and James Bradberry being released, C.J. Gardner-Johnson being traded, and Milton Williams and Josh Sweat securing big-money contracts elsewhere. The youth movement is alive and well in Philadelphia, but concerns remain about the defense in 2025.
Besides the usual questions about whether the young talent can step up, the injuries the defense is facing going into training camp are a significant question mark. At linebacker, Nakobe Dean and first-round pick Jihaad Campbell are still recovering, with a timeline of several weeks in training camp, although no specific date has been set.
That has opened the door for second-year linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. to step into the starting lineup with Zack Baun at offseason workouts and perform. While the organization is still high on Dean and Campbell, it could be a chance for Trotter to prove he can start.
Trotter has a path to be one of the starting inside linebackers for the Eagles
Trotter spoke with the media earlier this month about getting reps for the first time. While it isn't under the best circumstances, he is making the most of his opportunity.
"Definitely because of the circumstances, you don't want to see guys injured, but with that happening my reps have gone up," Trotter Jr. said via CBS Sports. "I'm blessed to still be able to have that opportunity, continuing to gain the trust of my coaches and go out there and just continue to get better and continue to improve on my game."
The Eagles selected Trotter in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft after spending his college career at Clemson. It was a full circle moment for Trotter and the Eagles since his dad, Jeremiah Trotter Sr., was a long time starting linebacker for the team as well.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. only started the final game of the regular season, as he was more of a special-teams player in his rookie campaign last year. He racked up 25 tackles, one quarterback hit, one pass deflection, and a half of a sack in 17 games.
Going into his second season, Trotter is focused on improving his play on the field by how he prepares off the field.
"Getting in a routine. I think this being routine as far as game week and then going into practice. You know, my daily routine as far as the weight room, pre-practice stuff, getting here early in the morning. I think being consistent with that really helps me be consistent when I'm out there on the field."
Read more: Eagles get support on Tush Push from the most unlikely source imaginable
If Dean and Campbell can't get enough work in before the regular season, Trotter has a chance to start. It's likely, though, that he's a rotational player at linebacker; however, a good preseason showing might help him secure more playing time.
Philadelphia still has high hopes for Trotter to be an impactful player and could be a sneaky pick to break out as a star in 2025.