Eagles feature

Jihaad Campbell continues to show off incredible potential  

Jihaad Campbell gave up a big touchdown against the Buccaneers but he more than made up for it.

By Dave Zangaro • Published September 29, 2025

TAMPA — Jihaad Campbell had his interception ball tucked inside his locker for safe keeping after the Eagles’ 31-25 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday. It will be his latest contribution to a growing collection inside the Eagles’ linebacker room back at the NovaCare Complex.

It won’t be his last.

"I don’t even think he knows what he’s doing or what he’s capable of doing,” Zack Baun said of his rookie teammate. "He just keeps getting better and better. That’s his mindset.”

We’re just four games into Campbell’s rookie season and we’re already seeing the level of talent that made him a first-round pick out of Alabama. He’s not a finished product yet but he’s dynamic, he’s a game-changer. And in a tight win, on the road, in sweltering conditions, Campbell came through again.

Not only did he pick off a Baker Mayfield pass to kill a Buccaneers’ drive in the red zone, but he also helped pop a football free from running back Bucky Irving in the third quarter.

The Eagles’ linebackers last season began to collect their takeaway footballs in an IKEA case that was put together by then-rookie Jeremiah Trotter Jr., who doesn’t seem to have a future as a carpenter.

"It was all kinds of inside out and backwards,” Baun said. "So Jihaad and Smael (Mondon) are going to make it this year and hopefully they do a better job. I hope [Trotter’s] fiancé is not at home making him build anything because it was not very good.”

When Campbell and Mondon get a new case, they better make it a big one. Because this is a linebacker group that has big-play ability. That showed again on Sunday in Tampa. In addition to Campbell’s plays, Baun had a forced fumble himself on Sunday.

For Campbell, it starts with a mindset.

"I was thinking about the ball all day,” he said. "That’s a collective, as a whole defense, we just think about the ball.”

It wasn’t a perfect day for the Eagles’ defense or for Campbell. In fact, the rookie linebacker gave up a 72-yard touchdown reception to Irving in the third quarter. On a scramble drill, Baker Mayfield bought some time and Irving got a step on Campbell, who wasn’t able to bring him down.

It was a rough play. It happens.

Baun said he tried to stress to Campbell the importance of getting over the bad play quickly. But it wasn’t like the rookie was dwelling on it. He acted like a veteran; he didn’t hang his head.

How did Campbell get over his mistake so quickly?

"I know I’m a better player than that,” he said. "So it’s a next-play mentality type of industry. It is what it is. Just keep my foot on the gas and learn from your mistake. Just next play, honestly.”

Two drives later, Campbell picked off his first NFL pass.

And it came in a huge moment. The Buccaneers had driven all the way down the field to the Eagles’ 11-yard line before Jalen Carter chased Mayfield, whose pass was tipped by Reed Blankenship before being picked off in the end zone by Campbell.

"I really didn’t want to dive that play but I chose to dive,” Carter said. “[Mayfield] got it off and Campbell made a big play for us. Congrats to him. I appreciate him for that because they was driving that ball pretty good. He came up in the clutch right there.”

While the official scorer eventually credited Jalyx Hunt for that third-quarter forced fumble, Campbell was right there too. He said the Eagles noticed on tape that Irving was little loose with the football so they had the plan to attack.

Campbell is just the latest addition to the defense with a penchant for taking the football away. Campbell on Sunday mentioned Baun and Nakobe Dean and Blankenship and Carter among those who have that ability.

"I can name a lot of guys who got the ball out and is on teach tape already that I can learn from,” Campbell said. "It’s just a blessing to be on this team and having that knack for the ball or having that mindset to get the ball.”

We’re just four games into Campbell’s NFL career and he’s already looking like a star in the making. He’s playing off the ball and getting reps on the edge, he’s covering like a veteran and he’s taking away the football too.

Campbell is so good that he’s making his All-Pro teammate a little incredulous.

"That dude is getting better and better,” Baun said. "And better and better.”

https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/jihaad-campbell-buccaneers-zack-baun-interception-alabama/686823/

Campbell has been unbelievable so far! It feels like he’s being asked to do a lot from the LB position but he does it all and makes an impact. The only thing I think he needs to add is perhaps just some of that pass rush ability? But some of that is on Vic to dial it up too. I’ve seen Baun blitz but I’m not sure I’ve seen Campbell do it yet? Certainly not a play that he gets to the QB or makes a play there but that could just be my memory.

He’s got to be in the discussion right now for DROTY surely? If he can avoid the rookie wall and can actually just keep improving then he’s going to be right in the frame! I mean that’s the scary thing right? He’s still learning to play in the NFL!

1 hour ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

Campbell has been unbelievable so far! It feels like he’s being asked to do a lot from the LB position but he does it all and makes an impact. The only thing I think he needs to add is perhaps just some of that pass rush ability? But some of that is on Vic to dial it up too. I’ve seen Baun blitz but I’m not sure I’ve seen Campbell do it yet? Certainly not a play that he gets to the QB or makes a play there but that could just be my memory.

He’s got to be in the discussion right now for DROTY surely? If he can avoid the rookie wall and can actually just keep improving then he’s going to be right in the frame! I mean that’s the scary thing right? He’s still learning to play in the NFL!

If he stays healthy, look out.

1 hour ago, time2rock said:

There you go! And I mean that shows up. He has that 2 forced fumbled credited to him? Against Dallas and Tampa. He has an INT. He’s in coverage, he’s stuffing the runner, he’s tackling and his just everywhere. Just need to add him getting to the QB.

I never thought I would see the day where the Eagles LBs were this good, and IMO, the strength of the defense. 👍

Has great range. Needs a little work on being more aggressive against the run and on the edge. But that's coachable. Makes you appreciate ZB even more. Can do all three things well. His blitzes don't always work but they are helping freeing up someone to pressure the QB.