Jihaad Campbell Named to The Ringer’s Midseason All-Rookie Team

The Ringer’s Diante Lee named Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell as one of the top rookies midway through the 2025 NFL season.

Campbell, along with the Cleveland Browns’ Carson Schwesinger, was listed as the top rookie linebackers so far this year.

Eagles Rookie Standing Out in 2025 Season

Lee said he expected Campbell to be more of a downhill thumper type of linebacker, but "he’s been more valuable in pass coverage, matching up with tight ends and taking away throwing lanes in the middle of the field."

I had expected Campbell to be more of a downhill thumper type of linebacker, someone much more comfortable playing in the offense’s backfield than dropping back in coverage. In Philadelphia, he’s been more valuable in pass coverage, matching up with tight ends and taking away throwing lanes in the middle of the field.

Campbell’s Strong Start and Defensive Stats

Through eight games, Campbell has registered 45 tackles with one QB hit, a forced fumble, one INT, and two pass breakups.

Campbell is part of a linebacker room that just got 2024 starter Naboke Dean back, and Dean has responded and started to cut into some of Campbell's playing time.

"We got Jihaad-- he's been playing OLB in base, but then we wanted to teach him the nickel [end] stuff, too, in case we needed him there," Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio explained on Tuesday. His week last week was choppy from a mental standpoint in learning a new position and learning new assignments that he hadn't been exposed to before because of our lack of guys at that position. That played a part in him not playing as much, but overall, it's a good problem."

Last week against the Giants, Dean played in 33 of the team's defensive snaps while Campbell appeared in 21 snaps.

Dean suffered a torn patellar tendon during the Eagles' Divisional Round playoff game against Green Bay and missed the first five weeks of the season, making his 2025 debut in Week 6 against the New York Giants.