Vic Fangio has made it clear that Jihaad Campbell has plenty of promise, but the Wicks Eagles linebacker is still viewed as a work in progress as he steps into a bigger role. After an impressive rookie season, Campbell is now officially taking over for Nakobe Dean, and Fangio believes there is still more to come.
That is an important note for Philadelphia Eagles fans because the linebacker situation has changed quickly. Dean is gone in free agency to the Las Vegas Raiders, and Campbell is now expected to carry the load alongside Zack Baun and Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
Campbell’s rookie year showed real production
Campbell was a first-round pick last year, and when Nakobe Dean suffered an injury early in the season, he was thrust into the starting lineup. He handled that opportunity well. In 17 games, Campbell recorded 80 tackles, three pass deflections, two tackles for loss, one quarterback hit, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Those numbers point to a player who was not just surviving on the field, but making plays in different areas. For a young linebacker stepping into a starting role so quickly, that is a strong base to build from.
Fangio still wants more
Even so, Fangio was careful not to get ahead of himself. During his press conference, he said Campbell is still “not where we want him to be as a final product”, while also stressing that he is “getting better and better every day.”
He added that Campbell is “good in the open field” and “athletic”, with the ability to run, but made it equally clear that the evaluation is not finished. Fangio also said, “I don’t want to give the wrong impression here.”
That is the key takeaway. Fangio likes the player, but he is setting a demanding standard. Campbell may have had a successful rookie season, yet the Eagles are asking him to become a more complete linebacker, not simply a promising one.
A bigger role brings a bigger test
The pressure on Campbell now comes from circumstance as much as from expectation. With Dean leaving, the Eagles need stability at linebacker, and Campbell is the player most directly asked to provide it. That makes his development one of the more important storylines in the defence.
Fangio also explained why he keeps pushing the standard so hard, saying he got spoiled earlier in his career and asking, “You ever hear of the Dome Patrol?” His point was simple: the bar is high, and he expects Campbell to keep climbing toward it.
For the Wicks Eagles, that means the outlook is positive but unfinished. Campbell has already shown he can play. The next step is proving he can be trusted as a long-term starter in a role that now belongs to him.
