The regular-season finale may have been mostly meaningful and uneventful. Head coach Nick Sirianni played his backups and didn't care about the outcome, even knowing the potential playoff seeding implications it would have. However, it still helped the team realize what they had in their hands on the bench.
That was certainly the case with Jeremiah Trotter Jr. The veteran linebacker turned back the clock to put on an absolute show in Week 18, finishing the contest with a game-high 12 tackles, four run stops, three pressures, two QB hits, and one tackle for loss. The sample size was small, but it might be big enough to change GM Howie Roseman's offseason plans.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Might Help The Eagles Let Nakobe Dean Leave
Trotter played every single defensive snap in the season finale after racking up DNPs left and right throughout the course of the regular season. Even so, rookie LB Jihaad Campbell raved about his importance as a mentor and how much he's helped him learn coverages and other key aspects of the position, according to Philly Sports Network's Cory Nidoh.
In that relationship may lie the perfect opportunity for the Eagles to save some money this offseason. Nakobe Dean is set to become a free agent, and with Jaelan Phillips also looking for a payday, there might not be enough money to keep everybody in the City of Brotherly Love.
Campbell has barely played since Dean returned from injury, but he's shown strong flashes when given a chance. So has Trotter Jr., who just proved that he can be a suitable backup for the rookie if needed.
The Eagles have already committed top dollar at the position with Zack Baun's contract, so finding a pair of players who can cover the position without having to break the bank again to keep Dean in town could be a massive win for the front office. They also need to figure out whether to keep Reed Blankenship after such a disappointing season, but the fact of the matter is that money might be scarce.
Nakobe Dean has more than earned a big payday. In ten games (eight starts), he has 55 tackles, seven tackles for loss, six QB hits, and 4.0 sacks. That being said, the salary cap exists for a reason, and even a magician like Roseman can only do so much to move around it.
The sample size is limited, so the Eagles will probably take his numbers with a grain of salt. Then again, the tape doesn't lie, and Trotter Jr. put on an absolute show in the regular-season finale. His Pro Football Focus grade of 82.1 is a testament to the impact he has made in the few instances he's been given a chance. Now, he could end up being an X-Factor to keep the books balanced in the offseason.