Jihaad Campbell gave the Eagles plenty to like in their 24-20 win over the Tennessee Titans, but the comparison that keeps hanging over Philadelphia is the one he’d probably rather avoid.
Campbell finished that game with 10 tackles and a forced fumble, a solid showing on paper. Even so, the bigger picture is less flattering for the Eagles, because the linebacker he replaced, Nakobe Dean, is already looking like the better player early in 2026.
Dean has jumped out fast with the Las Vegas Raiders after signing a three-year, $36 million contract. He’s put together 16 tackles, three quarterback hits, two tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. His latest impact play came late in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers, when he forced a fumble that helped the Raiders close out the win.
The advanced numbers back up the eye test. Pro Football Focus has Dean at a 72.2 overall grade, good for 14th out of 70 linebackers. He’s also sitting at a 69.2 run-defense grade, which ranks 15th, and a 90.1 pass-rush grade, the best mark among linebackers.
Campbell has been productive for Philadelphia, too, but he hasn’t matched Dean’s level. Through this season, Campbell has 19 tackles, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit and one forced fumble. PFF has him at 68.9 overall, 24th out of 70 linebackers, with a 67.8 run-defense grade that ranks 18th and a 66.0 pass-rush grade that ranks 21st.
The biggest concern for Campbell showed up in coverage against Tennessee. Sports Illustrated’s Jeff Kerr put him in the losers category in his postgame piece, and he pointed directly to the issue.
"While Campbell had 10 tackles and a forced fumble, his coverage numbers aren't very good. he was picked on Sunday, allowing four catches for 52 yards on four targets -- as Cam Ward had a 118.8 passer rating targeting him. The 24-yard pass in the fourth quarter to Elic Ayomanor showcased the work Campbell needs to do in coverage in his zone."
Dean’s edge comes with the benefit of experience, and the Eagles used him in ways that let his strengths shine. He could be sent after the quarterback, shifted around the defense and trusted to chase the ball wherever it went.
Campbell still has time to grow into the job, and the Eagles clearly believe he can become a good player. Philadelphia chose not to bring Dean back and instead moved forward with Campbell at inside linebacker next to Zack Baun. From a financial standpoint, that decision made sense.
On the field, though, Dean is making sure the comparison stays uncomfortable.
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