Struggling Eagles player reacts to reduced role: ‘Ain’t a weird situation at all’

Philadelphia — Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell has shrugged off coach Vic Fangio's decision to reduce his playing time, insisting it's not a "weird situation at all." Fangio announced on Tuesday that Campbell will split series with rookie Jeremiah Trotter Jr., starting against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Campbell, a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, has found himself struggling in both coverage and run defense during the first five games of his second NFL season.

Despite his reduced role, Campbell does not view the situation as negative. "It's a great bond," he said on Wednesday, emphasizing that football is about competition. "We all understand our goals and what we want to accomplish. That’s just to go out there and dominate."

The Eagles have not elaborated on the reasoning behind Campbell's reduced playing time, but Campbell respects Trotter's abilities. "Trott is a great player," he said. "He’s been playing great ball, too. So you’re going to get an opportunity to go out there and play."

Campbell was soft-benched during the second half of his rookie season in 2025 and was expected to become the full-time starter after Dean left the team. However, he now finds himself competing with a backup linebacker. Campbell acknowledged his potential as a rookie but stressed the importance of focusing on the present. "The game didn’t come here yet, but just taking it play-by-play," he said.

"I think that’s the biggest thing that we can worry about. Taking each play, play-by-play, preparing for the game right now. So we can all go out there and execute and dominate."

After the five games, Campbell has posted 42 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. He is optimistic about the remainder of the season, stating, "I got a lot in the tank, a lot in store."