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Add a healthy Dean and Vick would have a lot of ways to use people. I not only think it, but will say that this defense is better
Why you should be very excited about Eagles' 2025 linebacker duo
Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell form a linebacker duo that has the potential to be one of the best in the NFL.
By Dave Zangaro • Published 48 seconds ago
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Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was asked about the team’s approach to the Super Bowl banner ceremony scheduled for Week 1 during a matchup with the Cowboys.
If you’re pretty excited about the Eagles’ linebacker duo entering the 2025 season, you’re not alone.
They’re pretty excited too.
“We’re about to cover a lot of ground on the football field,” Zack Baun said this week. “That’s for sure.”
Baun returns for this season after an All-Pro year in 2024. Since signing with the Eagles, Baun was the best linebacker in football last year, won a Super Bowl, got a big three-year contract and was just recently named a captain.
And now he’s teaming up with first-round pick Jihaad Campbell to man the middle of Vic Fangio’s defense.
There’s no doubt that Nakobe Dean played at a really high level in 2024, but as he continues to recover from a torn patellar tendon suffered in the playoffs, the Eagles have a couple of linebackers that could end up forming one of the best duos in the NFL. There’s a lot of excitement about Campbell’s potential and it’s fun to imagine how it’ll look with Campbell and Baun on the field together. Because of Baun's back injury during camp, they didn't have a ton of time together, but they have had enough.
And they should be able to cover just about every blade of grass.
NFL
https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/video/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/eagles-videos/i-didnt-know-it-was-banner-night-sirianni-eagles-wont-watch-super-bowl-banner-ceremony/681982/]
[/URL]
Nick Sirianni 17 hours ago‘I didn't know it was banner night' – Sirianni, Eagles won't watch Super Bowl banner ceremony
https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nfl/drew-brees-bo-nix-broncos-sean-payton/681878/]
[/URL]
NFL 17 hours agoDrew Brees compares himself to Bo Nix with ‘similar' college and pro experiences
“I told him the same thing,” Baun said. “If the ball gets past the D-line, it has to be our tackle. We have enough range and speed to make every play. Don’t say ‘This is my gap. If it doesn’t go in my gap, I can’t make the play.’ That isn’t the case.”
Baun showed off his ability to cover a ton of ground in 2024 and it’s going to really help the defense to have two guys on the field who can do that.
The players behind those linebackers are really looking forward to it too.
“It’s great,” safety Reed Blankenship said. “It makes my job a lot easier, I can get my reads a lot faster. Just having two physical guys like them two just to blow up their gaps and just do what they’re supposed to do, it just makes my job so much easier.”
Baun has grown into his leadership role and he has been helping Campbell find his way. This week, Baun said the coaches are really tough on Campbell and he is too because they know how great Campbell can be. Baun called Campbell a “super special talent.”
Before delivering it, Baun made sure he knew Campbell could take tough coaching.
“That’s a good question. I was so sensitive when I was a rookie,” Baun said. “Coaches would be tough on me and I would fall apart and not handle it well. But those Bama guys are trained like that. They’re a different breed.”
So tough coaching it is.
Whenever Baun speaks, Campbell listens. And whenever Baun does something on or off the field, Campbell watches.
“I think he’s All-Pro for a reason,” Campbell said. “He’s an all-around linebacker, he’s very experienced and he definitely just leads by example, does everything right, does everything in the structure around him. That’s what I look at. Each and every day, I’m always excited to learn from him, grow with him and just to keep learning. That’s what football is all about.”
Most analysts ranked Campbell as a top-15 talent entering in the 2025 draft but he fell all the way into the Eagles’ range at No. 31 because of injury concerns. (He was on the field for Day 1 of training camp.)
But not many folks questioned his talent.
And because of Campbell’s versatile skills and because of his frame and athleticism and physicality, he was compared to Baun a ton upon his arrival. Their similarities actually open up a lot of options for this Eagles defense.
“The positions are interchangeable and if he likes doing something, I’m totally willing to let him do what he wants to do,” Baun said. “I play off him, I play off the D-line and I just make it right.”
For years, the Eagles had subpar linebacker play. They got by with guys who weren’t really starters and they constantly skimped at the position. There were plenty of years without one player who was an above average starter and now they have two who can be difference makers.
“I think it benefits us a lot,” Cooper DeJean said. “Not only how they can cover and move around in zones but their brains also. They’re two smart football players, which I think helps the most.
“When you see certain route concepts and when things aren’t playing out how the defense is made up for them to play out, being able to adjust up from each other I think is a huge thing. Zack especially, just because I have played with him the most, he does a great job at that. Jihaad, from what I’ve seen during practice, he’s a young guy but he’s got smart football instincts and I have no doubt that he’ll be one of those guys who will be able to adjust on the fly as well and make a lot of plays for us.”
Baun proved himself in 2024 and Campbell will have that chance as a rookie in 2025.
These two linebackers have the potential to be the engine of Fangio’s defense. And it’s going to be fun to watch.
Why you should be very excited about Eagles' 2025 linebacker duo
Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell form a linebacker duo that has the potential to be one of the best in the NFL.
By Dave Zangaro • Published 48 seconds ago
Log in or create a free profile to save articles
BOOKMARKER
0:00
Pause
0:07 / 0:24
Unmute
ShareToggle FullscreenNBC Universal, Inc.
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was asked about the team’s approach to the Super Bowl banner ceremony scheduled for Week 1 during a matchup with the Cowboys.
If you’re pretty excited about the Eagles’ linebacker duo entering the 2025 season, you’re not alone.
They’re pretty excited too.
“We’re about to cover a lot of ground on the football field,” Zack Baun said this week. “That’s for sure.”
Baun returns for this season after an All-Pro year in 2024. Since signing with the Eagles, Baun was the best linebacker in football last year, won a Super Bowl, got a big three-year contract and was just recently named a captain.
And now he’s teaming up with first-round pick Jihaad Campbell to man the middle of Vic Fangio’s defense.
There’s no doubt that Nakobe Dean played at a really high level in 2024, but as he continues to recover from a torn patellar tendon suffered in the playoffs, the Eagles have a couple of linebackers that could end up forming one of the best duos in the NFL. There’s a lot of excitement about Campbell’s potential and it’s fun to imagine how it’ll look with Campbell and Baun on the field together. Because of Baun's back injury during camp, they didn't have a ton of time together, but they have had enough.
And they should be able to cover just about every blade of grass.
NFL
https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/video/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/eagles-videos/i-didnt-know-it-was-banner-night-sirianni-eagles-wont-watch-super-bowl-banner-ceremony/681982/]
[/URL]Nick Sirianni 17 hours ago‘I didn't know it was banner night' – Sirianni, Eagles won't watch Super Bowl banner ceremony
https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nfl/drew-brees-bo-nix-broncos-sean-payton/681878/]
[/URL]NFL 17 hours agoDrew Brees compares himself to Bo Nix with ‘similar' college and pro experiences
“I told him the same thing,” Baun said. “If the ball gets past the D-line, it has to be our tackle. We have enough range and speed to make every play. Don’t say ‘This is my gap. If it doesn’t go in my gap, I can’t make the play.’ That isn’t the case.”
Baun showed off his ability to cover a ton of ground in 2024 and it’s going to really help the defense to have two guys on the field who can do that.
The players behind those linebackers are really looking forward to it too.
“It’s great,” safety Reed Blankenship said. “It makes my job a lot easier, I can get my reads a lot faster. Just having two physical guys like them two just to blow up their gaps and just do what they’re supposed to do, it just makes my job so much easier.”
Baun has grown into his leadership role and he has been helping Campbell find his way. This week, Baun said the coaches are really tough on Campbell and he is too because they know how great Campbell can be. Baun called Campbell a “super special talent.”
Before delivering it, Baun made sure he knew Campbell could take tough coaching.
“That’s a good question. I was so sensitive when I was a rookie,” Baun said. “Coaches would be tough on me and I would fall apart and not handle it well. But those Bama guys are trained like that. They’re a different breed.”
So tough coaching it is.
Whenever Baun speaks, Campbell listens. And whenever Baun does something on or off the field, Campbell watches.
“I think he’s All-Pro for a reason,” Campbell said. “He’s an all-around linebacker, he’s very experienced and he definitely just leads by example, does everything right, does everything in the structure around him. That’s what I look at. Each and every day, I’m always excited to learn from him, grow with him and just to keep learning. That’s what football is all about.”
Most analysts ranked Campbell as a top-15 talent entering in the 2025 draft but he fell all the way into the Eagles’ range at No. 31 because of injury concerns. (He was on the field for Day 1 of training camp.)
But not many folks questioned his talent.
And because of Campbell’s versatile skills and because of his frame and athleticism and physicality, he was compared to Baun a ton upon his arrival. Their similarities actually open up a lot of options for this Eagles defense.
“The positions are interchangeable and if he likes doing something, I’m totally willing to let him do what he wants to do,” Baun said. “I play off him, I play off the D-line and I just make it right.”
For years, the Eagles had subpar linebacker play. They got by with guys who weren’t really starters and they constantly skimped at the position. There were plenty of years without one player who was an above average starter and now they have two who can be difference makers.
“I think it benefits us a lot,” Cooper DeJean said. “Not only how they can cover and move around in zones but their brains also. They’re two smart football players, which I think helps the most.
“When you see certain route concepts and when things aren’t playing out how the defense is made up for them to play out, being able to adjust up from each other I think is a huge thing. Zack especially, just because I have played with him the most, he does a great job at that. Jihaad, from what I’ve seen during practice, he’s a young guy but he’s got smart football instincts and I have no doubt that he’ll be one of those guys who will be able to adjust on the fly as well and make a lot of plays for us.”
Baun proved himself in 2024 and Campbell will have that chance as a rookie in 2025.
These two linebackers have the potential to be the engine of Fangio’s defense. And it’s going to be fun to watch.
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