Bleeding Green Nation
The Eagles’ second-year linebacker could be poised to start games in 2025.
Nothing has really changed.
The same kid who would toil under the summer sun and outwork the other kids still surfaces. The same kid who would break down film with his famous dad when he was 10 is still there. The glaring difference is that Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is a lot larger, much stronger and faster, and he’s the one these days picking up his Eagles Hall of Fame father, Jeremiah Trotter Sr., than the other way around.
Trotter Jr., the Eagles’ 2024 fifth-round out of Clemson by way of St. Joe’s Prep, had an impressive rookie season, making 25 tackles, nine solo, playing in all 17 regular-season games, starting one, and getting a Super Bowl his rookie season as a major special teams contributor. He is already ahead of his dad, who played in eight games and made three tackles his rookie season in 1998.
What they may have in common, however, is their second season in the NFL. Trotter Sr. got his chance under the Eagles’ new head coach in 1999, Andy Reid, who gave Trotter Sr. the starting role at middle linebacker in 1999, on his way to making four Pro Bowl teams and being first-team All-Pro (2000). The way the Eagles currently look, it appears as if Trotter Jr. is going to get his chance in his second year to start.
Nakobe Dean suffered a debilitating torn patellar tendon in his left knee during the Eagles’ 22-10 Wild Card playoff victory over the Green Bay Packers on January 12, 2025. Dean was hurt in the second quarter tackling Packers’ tight end Tucker Kraft and was carted off the field. Dean had his best—and healthiest—season as a pro, making 128 tackles in the regular season, with three sacks, and six quarterback hits. He underwent surgery in January. Complete tears typically require surgery and can take up to six to 12 months or longer for a full recovery.
Dean, 24, started a career-best 15 games last season. As a precaution, the Eagles drafted Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell with the 31st overall pick, moving up one place with Kansas City to get him. Campbell may have dipped in the draft due to a torn labrum injury, so currently, the starting MIKE linebacker is Trotter Jr., 22, with either him or likely Eagles All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun wearing the “green dot” helmet, calling the Eagles’ defensive plays.
Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio loves Trotter Jr., as do the Eagles assistant coaches Bobby King, Ronell Williams and Jeremiah Washburn. They like Trotter Jr.’s work ethic, his diligence to detail, and the fact that he asks questions and is a student of the game.
“I’m going into the season with the attitude that anything the team needs me to do, I’m ready to do it,” Trotter Jr. told Bleeding Green Nation. “I feel good. I’m walking around at 225, 230 pounds, but I feel a lot stronger and at the...
