PHILADELPHIA — In what might be a surprise unless you understand his background, well-regarded Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio highlighted the strength of his inside linebacker group while in Foxborough for joint practices with the New England Patriots.

In fact, Fangio declared Bobby King’s room as “probably” the deepest position on his defense.

Conventional wisdom tilts toward defensive tackle where star-level players Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis are supplemented by Moro Ojomo, Byron Young and Ty Robinson, who is starting to come on of late.

Then you have edge defender, where free-agent pickups Arnold Ebiketie and A.J. Epenesa are making life bearable as supplements to Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith while Jonathan Greenard works through his sprained pec.

Even outside cornerback looks set if proven veteran Jonathan Jones can make it back from a shoulder injury to provide valuable insurance for Quinyon Mitchell and Riq Woolen.

Best Backup?

Despite that Fangio turned to ILB which is led by All-Pro Zack Baul and ascending second-year player Jihaad Campbell. From there LB3 Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is in the running for best backup on the team, while Smael Mondon is another second-year player the Eagles like.

Fangio previously warned the media not to sleep on Chance Campbell, and Deontae Lawson has taken on the mantle of best undrafted signing this year.

“Our ILB position is probably our deepest position on defense,” Fangio said. “We’ve got Trotter and Smael, that are two good quality players. [Chance] Campbell, been hurt for a while, but I think he’ll be back out there today, and Deontae. 

“So, I feel good about those guys.”

Fangio specifically praised Trotter’s growth, noting the third-year player is “reaping the benefits of being in the system for three years” with faster processing and sharper instincts—qualities he noted as essential for an inside linebacker.

The assessment carries added weight given Fangio’s extensive track record developing elite linebackers across decades in the NFL.

Fangio began his NFL coaching career as the New Orleans Saints’ linebackers coach from 1986 to 1994, where he guided the legendary “Dome Patrol.” 

That group—outside linebackers Rickey Jackson and Pat Swilling alongside inside linebackers Sam Mills and Vaughan Johnson—is widely regarded as one of the greatest linebacking corps in league history. 

The four combined for 18 Pro Bowl selections and 10 first-team All-Pro honors under Fangio’s tutelage. In 1992, all four were selected to the Pro Bowl, the first time in NFL history that four players from the same team and position group earned the honor. 

Jackson and Mills later reached the Pro Football Hall of Fame, while Swilling was named the 1991 Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Fangio recently penned the foreword for long-time Eagles reporter Paul Domowitch’s book on Mills: “Just Give Me a Chance To Fail.”

Later, as defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014, Fangio oversaw another standout pair of inside linebackers in Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman. 

Both Willis and Bowman earned multiple Pro Bowl nods during Fangio’s tenure and are remembered among the most dominant interior linebackers of their era.

Fangio’s linebacker expertise even extended to a 2009 stint as Baltimore Ravens linebackers coach, where he worked with first-team All-Pro and Hall of Famer Ray Lewis.

With that pedigree coaching the position, Fangio’s endorsement of the current Eagles inside linebacker room would indicate flexibility in personnel packages and insurance against injuries, allowing the veteran coordinator to continue refining a defense that has become a hallmark of the organization under his leadership.

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