In recent years, the Philadelphia Eagles have been perceived as a franchise that undervalues the linebacker position. Old-timers often spoke of the good old days, back when they had Jeremiah Trotter manning the middle in the early 2000s, Seth Joyner, Byron Evans, and William Thomas in the late 1980s and 1990s, and Bill Bergy and Chuck Bednarik before them. Now that the Eagles have invested first-round draft capital and heavy cap dollars into the position, current fans might know how it feels to witness prolonged dominating play from the middle of the field. And everyone is excited!
Meet the Eagles’ new Linebacking Duo
With the selection of Jihaad Campbell coupled with Zack Baun breaking through with an all-pro season last year, the Eagles may finally have their own answer to the legendary Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman tandem that powered the San Francisco 49ers’ dominant defense, and was the envy of opposing fans who enjoyed watching fantastic linebacking play.
Like Willis and Bowman, Campbell and Baun bring a rare mix of speed, versatility, and instincts to the second level of the defense; they’re not just gap-fillers, they’re game-changers.
Campbell, like Willis, has the traits of a complete linebacker. He’s long, explosive, and physical, with the range to cover tight ends downfield and the burst to close downhill against the run. His instincts are sharp for a young player, and his closing speed is elite. He plays like someone who can do it all, now he needs to prove it in the NFL.
Baun brings that Bowman-like versatility. Though he was initially seen as more of a pass-rushing specialist, his time in New Orleans showed he could drop into coverage, mirror backs and tight ends, and contribute all over the field. Vic Fangio and Howie Roseman saw those traits and decided to take a swing and give Zack a starting job. He did not disappoint. He has the football IQ to read and diagnose plays quickly, and the athleticism to execute, sideline to sideline. He was rewarded with a $50 million contract.
Together, they should give the Eagles something they’ve lacked for years: a linebacker duo that offenses have to account for on every snap.
Changing of the Guard
Like the Willis-Bowman duo, communication will be key. Nakobe Dean and Baun had that chemistry last year, and the hope is that Campbell and Baun will achieve it just as quickly and effectively. They are both smart, vocal, and aggressive. They diagnose, adjust, and attack. They’re not just athletic, but also they’re coordinated. With a rebuilt secondary behind them and a disruptive front in front of them, this linebacker pairing has a real chance to become the heartbeat of a new defensive identity in Philadelphia. Something Eagles fans have wanted for a long, long time.
Fans once believed that the Eagles ignored the linebacker position. Now they might have one of the league’s most dynamic duos.
Campbell and Baun are the Eagles’ response and attempt to equal or best the Hall of Fame duo of Willis and Bowman. Baun has already matched their elite production, and Campbell brings the high-ceiling versatility and playmaking instincts to complement him.
Together, they have the makings of a modern elite linebacker duo. Athletic, smart, and adaptable weapons against both run and pass. They are striving not only to echo the 49ers’ LBs’ production, but also to establish a legacy of their own.
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Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
