Eagles Defensive Rookie Did Not Disappoint in His First NFL Run
Last night, the Philadelphia Eagles kicked off their season in an all-out brawl with the Dallas Cowboys for a win of 24-20. For their Super Bowl defending 2025 campaign, Philly has the youngest defense in the league, with the average age being just under 25 years old. Despite this, one rookie in particular stood out in his NFL debut to help shut down a fired-up and efficient Dak Prescott. Beyond the lightning delay and the drama of Jalen Carter’s ejection before the first snap, linebacker Jihaad Campbell jumped at his opportunity to prove why his first-round draft pick was well worth it.
Campbell’s performance showed his instant impact on Philly’s defense as he played for 56 of a total of 61 defensive snaps. His consistency on the field showed just how much Vic Fangio, the Eagles’ defensive coordinator, trusted Campbell, and he did not fall short of expectations. Throughout the course of the intense game of rivals, Campbell notched three tackles and only allowed one reception for an offensive loss of three yards. Not only this, but he was able to break up a throw from Prescott to tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford with a deflected pass.
Perhaps his most impressive achievement, which represented a pivotal moment in the game, came late in the third quarter. Dallas was trailing 24-20 on first and 10 at the 12-yard line. The ball was handed off to Miles Sanders, and Campbell broke through block attempts to strip the ball for his first NFL forced fumble. The ball was recovered by Quinyon Mitchell, preventing Dallas from taking the lead. This game-saving moment for Campbell proved his ability to deliver under pressure. Though the game was emotional and fast-paced, Campbell was all over the field last night by playing fast and smart from start to finish.
Next week, Campbell’s test only gets tougher when the Birds face Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Philly will be on the road, and with Travis Kelce’s ability to exploit the middle of the field, Campbell will need to quickly learn to tighten his zone awareness, stay disciplined, and take away the easy routes underneath. Speed and agility are also critical skills for Campbell to keep handy when Mahomes extends plays outside of the pocket or passes the ball off. The way to disrupt this rhythm requires pressure without overcommitting to contain the run game. If Campbell can replicate his debut and bring more fire in Week Two, the rookie could help deter the Chiefs from finding success in their Super Bowl revenge game.
