The Philadelphia Eagles are one of the most successful franchises in the NFL and a big reason has been their ability to develop players. Howie Roseman’s dealings during the draft has helped Philadelphia assemble talent over the past several years but it’s been finding the right players that led the Eagles to go from a last-place team in 2020 to Super Bowl champions last season.
Unfortunately, developing talent comes with a cost. The Eagles have had to make several tough decisions this offseason as Mekhi Becton, Josh Sweat, and Milton Williams left in free agency and there will be another wave of decisions to make heading into this season.
In the case of one Eagles’ starter, that decision could be the turning point in his time in Philadelphia and it could make him the player that lost the most this offseason.
Nakobe Dean is the Eagles' Biggest Offseason Loser
When the Eagles began their playoff run, things were going pretty well for Nakobe Dean. A third-round pick by Philadelphia in the 2022 draft, the Georgia product was a backup in his rookie season and suffered a pair of foot injuries that limited him to five games in 2023. The odds were starting to swing in his favor, however, as he broke out with 128 total tackles, including nine for loss with three sacks, four pass breakups, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in 15 starts.
Just as it appeared Dean would force his way into the Eagles long-term plans, he suffered a torn patellar tendon in a Wild Card victory over the Green Bay Packers. Dean showed positive signs early when he was off crutches three weeks after the surgery, but the Eagles sent their opinion of the 24-year-old’s recovery when they selected Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell in the first round.
Campbell has dealt with his own injury history including a pair of shoulder surgeries. But Campbell will be ready for the start of the season, which is something the Eagles can’t say about Dean.
A highly productive linebacker, Campbell racked up 117 total tackles, two forced fumbles, a pass breakup, an interception, and five sacks during his final season with the Crimson Tide. Campbell is also the favorite to slot in next to Zach Baun, giving him the chance to take Dean’s job heading into the season.
With Dean expected to at least miss the early part of the year, it sets up a scenario where he could be expendable entering the final year of his contract. While he was in line to earn a contract extension, his injury could be a career-altering development, causing him to lose more than any player has this season.