The Philadelphia Eagles have a very deep linebacker corps. While that’s ultimately a great thing, it can also be a tad tricky. There won’t be enough playing time for everyone when all the team’s insider linebackers are healthy.
One linebacker that could deserve more playing time than he receives this fall is Jeremiah Trotter Jr. The third-year linebacker has shown tremendous strides this month, especially during Week 2 of the preseason Saturday night.
But while he’s probably earned a bigger role, Trotter isn’t focused on his amount of playing time. He made that clear to reporters after Saturday’s exhibition game.
“I just try to make sure I’m doing my part,” Trotter said to the media Saturday. “Whatever my role is on this team, I try to be the best player I can be to help out my teammates. And put through 100% in that role that I am in. Whatever that is, I’m just trying to put my head down and grind every single day.”
In two seasons with the Eagles, Trotter has played in all 34 contests. He started two of them — one in each of his first two campaigns.
Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Shines for Eagles in Preseason Week 2
GettyPhiladelphia Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. addressed his role entering his third NFL season.
Trotter created a highlight-reel play early Saturday night against the New England Patriots.
On Philadelphia’s second defensive possession of the game, Trotter perfectly timed a blitz to sack Patriots quarterback Tommy DeVito. The linebacker so instinctively blew through the offensive line with perfect timing that he was able to sack DeVito about a second after the snap.
“I love it,” Trotter told reporters after the game. “When we blitz, we have a mindset as linebackers with the Philadelphia Eagles that we want to get home. We want to get wins and make plays.
“So that’s really just our mindset that we preach in our room every single day.”
That’s probably not a play Trotter would have been able to recognize and make a season or two ago. On the single play, Trotter displayed how much he’s improved.
Even still, Trotter is focused on continuing to get better — not his snap count.
“I definitely am very confident in my abilities. As far as right now, I’m just trying to make sure I’m grinding and doing my part to be the best player I can be and continue to improve upon myself so I can maximize my capabilities.”
Trotter finished Saturday with five total tackles to go with the sack.
Will Trotter Play More on Defense in 2026?
GettyPhiladelphia Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. had an impressive Week 2 performance in the NFL preseason.
In his first two seasons, Trotter played just 192 defensive snaps total. He also saw his snap count on defense decrease from 104 in 2024 to 88 last season.
That’s not super encouraging. Neither is the Eagles defensive depth chart for the linebacker.
Trotter is still on Philadelphia’s second-team defense behind Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell.
Barring an injury, that’s not going to change. Baun and Campbell are the clear-cut starters at inside linebacker for Philadelphia.
But perhaps Trotter will play more than he’s done in the past. He’s earned an opportunity even if he isn’t willing to tell the media he has.
Eagles’ Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Speaks out on Role After Stellar Preseason Game