Eagles Stay or Go 2026: Linebacker originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Reuben Frank and Dave Zangaro bring back Stay or Go in 2026, trying to figure out the futures of every Eagles player on the roster.
We already took a look, at quarterback, running back, receiver, tight end, interior offensive line, offensive tackle, edge rusher and defensive tackle.
Up today: Linebackers.
Zack Baun
Roob: Yeah, I think the Eagles might bring back the best linebacker in the NFL. Baun was just as good if not a little bit better in 2025 but the All-Pro voters (not including me) whiffed this time around and left Baun off the 1st or 2nd team, which is ridiculous. He did make his second straight Pro Bowl, something no Eagles linebacker had done since Jeremiah Trotter in 2004 and 2005, and what I like the most about Baun is that as well as he’s played these two years all he talks about is continuing to get better and learn what is still a relatively new position for him. Wouldn’t be surprised if he returns to the All-Pro team in 2026. If the voters are paying attention next year.
Verdict: Stays
Dave: Maybe Baun didn’t have as splashy of a season in 2025 as he had in 2024 but he was just as solid and his All-Pro season certainly wasn’t a fluke. Baun in 2025 had 3 1/3 sacks, 7 TFLs, 5 QB hits, 7 pass breakups and a forced fumble to go along with 123 tackles, all while taking over green-dot responsibilities. The Eagles gave Baun a three-year, $51 million deal last offseason and he was worth that type of money. He’s under contract for the 2026 and 2027 season so he’ll definitely be here this year and the Eagles are expecting big things again.
Verdict: Stays
Chance Campbell
Roob: One-time 6th-round pick of the Titans back in 2022 has played five career defensive snaps in parts of four seasons and spent all last year on the practice squad. The Eagles like something about Campbell, to keep him around all last year and I’d anticipate he’ll be back this summer for fifth NFL training camp. But I just don’t see a path to the 53-man roster unless the Eagles suffer a huge rash of linebacker injuries.
Verdict: Goes
Dave: Keep an eye on Campbell. He signed with the Eagles late in training camp and did enough to earn a practice squad spot. He was a standout on the Eagles’ scout team behind the scenes all season. Campbell might be able to play but I’m not sure if he’s going to be on the Eagles’ initial 53-man roster. I have him going but expect Campbell to be back on the practice squad.
Verdict: Goes
Jihaad Campbell
Roob: Because the Eagles drafted Nakobe Dean in the third round in 2022 and Campbell in the first round in 2025, they don’t have a choice who they can keep, even though right now Dean is a much better player than Campbell. That’s just the reality of roster building. When the Eagles drafted Campbell, they didn’t know what kind of comeback from a very bad knee injury Dean would have and they certainly didn’t know he’d be even better after the injury than he was before it. Campbell has a chance to be a pretty good linebacker, and he’s obviously not going anywhere. Beyond that? Who knows.
Verdict: Stays
Dave: It was a weird rookie season for Campbell, who began the year as a starter and then lost his job midway through when Nakobe Dean returned from injury. It wasn’t that Campbell did anything to lose his job; it’s just that Dean was better. But the future is bright for Campbell, who doesn’t turn 22 until Feb. 24. He showed a ton of promise during his rookie season and made some big plays. The Eagles even tried him at outside linebacker but it seems like his best fit is at inside ‘backer. With Dean’s expected departure in free agency, Campbell should return to the Eagles as a starter next to Baun in Year 2.
Verdict: Stays
Nakobe Dean
Roob: And the flip side of that is it’s hard to imagine any way Dean is back in 2026. Even if you could sign him – and his outstanding play certainly raised his value significantly – why would he want to come back to a team where Baun and Campbell are going to be the starters? It’s going to be so hard to see Dean go because he’s been such a warrior for this team and I don’t know if there’s anybody in that locker room who appreciates being an Eagle more than Nakobe. But it doesn’t make sense to pay what Dean is going to command on the open market when you already have two starting linebackers, and there’s no reason for Dean to come back when he’ll have opportunities to start elsewhere that he wouldn’t have here. Tough one, but that’s where we are.
Verdict: Goes
Dave: This is a tough one. Because Dean wants to be in Philadelphia and the Eagles (in a perfect world) would love to keep him. But here’s the problem: The Eagles have already paid Baun and they used a first-round pick on Campbell. So they have already poured more resources into the position than we’ve ever seen from them before. And to expect them to pay Dean on top of that is probably a long-shot. There’s no doubt that Dean made the Eagles’ defense better when he returned to the lineup in 2025 and he’s going to go somewhere else and play really well. But it’s just hard to imagine him being back in 2026.
Verdict: Goes
Smael Mondon Jr.
Roob: The Eagles’ 5th-round pick played all 17 games and was very good on special teams, with 289 snaps. But he only played 14 snaps at linebacker, and he’ll most likely spend his career almost exclusively as a special teamer. And nothing wrong with that. It’s a pretty good job. He’s a guy who could raise his stock with a big training camp, but for now I’d expect him to be a key special teamer for this team who would only play defense in an emergency.
Verdict: Stays
Dave: The Eagles used a 5th-round pick to select Mondon out of Georgia and he had a great rookie training camp before assuming his role as a backup and special teams player. Mondon played in every game this season but saw just a handful of snaps on defense. His 289 special teams snaps ranked fifth on the team behind just Sydney Brown, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Kelee Ringo and Kylen Granson. Mondon has three more years left on his rookie deal and even if he never becomes anything more than a special teams player, that’s a perfectly fine use of a 5th-round pick.
Verdict: Stays
Jose Ramirez
Roob: Good ol’ Jose Ramirez. An all-time favorite of so many Eagles fans. Ramirez, Tampa’s 6th-round pick in 2023, has only played four NFL games, all in 2024 with the Bucs and mainly on special teams. The Eagles added him last month as a futures player, and at 6-2, 250 pounds maybe we’ll see him at edge this summer. One thing we won’t see is Jose Ramirez on the 53.
Verdict: Goes
Dave: The Eagles signed Ramirez to a futures contract this offseason after he spent a season in the CFL in 2025. Ramirez was a 6th-round pick of the Buccaneers in 2023. He’s a long-shot to make the roster.
Verdict: Goes
Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
Roob: With Dean gone, Trotter moves up to the top backup linebacker, and I think he’s ready for it. Trotter hasn’t played a lot – 192 defensive snaps in two seasons – but whenever he does get out there he gets your attention with his physical and intelligent play and outstanding football instincts. You see those qualities as well on special teams, where he’s a real leader of that unit. Great kid who has handled life as a backup like a pro. Who’s this guy’s dad? Somebody raised him right.
Verdict: Stays
Dave: I think Trot can play. He hasn’t gotten many opportunities on defense but whenever we see him out there, he sure looks like he belongs. No, he might not be as physically gifted as Baun or Campbell but Trotter has elite instincts and seems to always be in the right place. Assuming health, he won’t have any chance to start in 2026 but he has already proven himself as a valuable backup and special teams player. Trotter has two more years under contract and is an important depth piece for this team.
Verdict: Stays