​The Philadelphia Eagles are less than a month away from the start of training camp, and the countdown to the 2026 season has begun with a close look at the 25 most important Eagles. At No. 25 is Marcus Epps, followed by Jake Elliott at 24, Eli Stowers at 23, Dontayvion Wicks at 22, Moro Ojomo at 21, Nolan Smith at 20, Dallas Goedert at 19, and Jihaad Campbell at 18. The piece also notes Nakobe Dean, a key starter on the defense, left in free agency, which was not a surprise given how the Eagles handled the 2025 draft. Jihaad Campbell was a somewhat unconventional pick—teams don’t typically trade up in the first round to grab a linebacker. Yet Campbell, deemed by Howie Roseman and the Eagles’ front office as top-15 talent, was considered a worthy investment at No. 31 overall.
Now, with Dean gone and Campbell poised to become a full-time starter, this season will reveal whether that investment pays off in 2026. Campbell is among the Eagles’ most important players heading into the year, and some might argue he deserves an even higher spot on the list. He faces the challenge of stepping into a starting role and living up to the expectations that come with being a first-round pick. It’s a pivotal year for Campbell, who will line up beside Zack Baun in the heart of the defense, taking on responsibilities that will influence the present and the future of the unit.
Injuries have been a concern, as Campbell missed spring practices due to a shoulder issue. Injury history played a part in why he slid to No. 31 in the draft, with concerns about both shoulders and both knees. Those concerns are something to monitor as he progresses toward training camp, which is scheduled for later this month. There is optimism that the 22-year-old will quickly establish himself as a standout in the middle of the defense, and the early expectations are that he will be a major contributor in 2026.
Campbell made an impact as a rookie, appearing in all 17 games and starting 10, with 80 tackles, three pass breakups, two tackles for loss, and an interception. He initially lost his starting role to Dean after the veteran returned from injury, but defensive coordinator Vic Fangio still trusted Campbell and found ways to keep him on the field, primarily at linebacker (514 snaps) and also at edge rusher (150 snaps). The plan for 2026 is clear: Campbell should settle into the middle linebacker position and be a core piece of the defense for years to come. He brings high upside as a blitzer and strong coverage skills, and paired with Baun, who earned All-Pro honors in 2024 and remains under contract through 2027, the duo has the potential to form a formidable middle-to-edge presence.
The key question remains whether Campbell can stay healthy and translate his potential into sustained production this summer and into the fall. If he can, 2026 could be a breakout year for the former first-round pick, especially as he grows into the full-time role and gains confidence as a middle linebacker who can contribute in pass coverage and on the blitz. As training camp approaches, the Eagles will be watching closely to see if Campbell can meet the high expectations and become a defining figure on the defense for the foreseeable future. This situation makes Campbell an important narrative to watch in the lead-up to the season, as he looks to justify the riskiest and most consequential pick of the Eagles’ 2025 draft class.