The Philadelphia Eagles didn't leave Week 4 with many positives after blowing a 10-point lead in a 24-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. One bright spot, however, came from someone the fan base has long been excited about.With Zack Baun unavailable, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. was asked to handle a much larger workload than usual.
The third-year linebacker and son of a franchise legend had played only six defensive snaps this season before Week. Still, he responded with the best performance of his young career, finishing with a team-high 15 tackles, including ten solo stops, while playing every defensive snap. Here are three observations from Trotter's performance.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. looked prepared for an expanded role
One of the most encouraging takeaways wasn't the tackle total. It was how comfortable Trotter
looked despite the circumstances. The Eagles didn't ease him into the action. Philadelphia asked him to play all 84 defensive snaps. Yes... You read that correctly. That says 84 defensive snaps.
Trotter rarely looked overwhelmed. For a player who entered the game with limited defensive experience, that level of production suggests he was ready for the opportunity when his number was called.
Trotter has proven to be a solid run defender.
Trotter's best football came when the Rams tried to establish the run. Several of his tackles came near the line of scrimmage, and he showed the instincts that made him a summertime conversation piece. Perhaps the most encouraging trait was how quickly he diagnosed plays. Trotter rarely looked hesitant, and he consistently took efficient angles to the football. Philadelphia's defense eventually wore down in the fourth quarter, but Trotter's effort was difficult to ignore.
The next step is proving he deserves a permanent role
No one should pretend this was a flawless outing. Pro Football Focus credited Matthew Stafford with seven completed passes against him in coverage for 49 yards. His game still needs refinement in a few areas. That's expected from a linebacker making only his third career start.
What matters is that Trotter gave the Eagles something to think about moving forward. After spending most of his first two seasons as a reserve, he showed he can handle significant defensive responsibilities. He also matched the physical style and urgency that fans have been asking to see from this defense.
Baun remains one of Philadelphia's most important defenders and will return to a starter's position when he is cleared for contact, but Sunday's performance made two things clear. When the Eagles evaluate their linebacker rotation moving forward, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has earned a larger place in the conversation. Don't be shocked if you hear conversations about him stealing snaps from Jihaad Campbell, though Eagles leadership likely wouldn't be on board, since Campbell was a first-round draft pick.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 3 takeaways from Jeremiah Trotter Jr.’s breakout performance vs. Rams
