Will Eagles continue to rotate linebackers in 2023?

Will Eagles continue to rotate linebackers in 2023? originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Eagles made an interesting decision during their game against the Jets, opting to rotate their linebackers. While middle linebacker Nakobe Dean returned from injury, he was not given the starting role. Instead, Nicholas Morrow and Zach Cunningham were chosen to start, resulting in a three-man rotation. Even after Dean’s recovery, the question remains: will this rotation continue?

In an interview, Eagles defensive coordinator Sean Desai shared his thoughts on the matter. He explained that the rotation strategy depends on the specific game and the team’s overall plan. However, Desai expressed confidence in all three linebackers’ abilities to execute on the field.

At the beginning of the season, Dean and Cunningham were the designated starters, with Morrow on the practice squad. However, Morrow proved himself during Dean’s absence, earning a starting position alongside Cunningham. In fact, even Dean acknowledged that both Morrow and Cunningham deserved their playing time.

During the game against the Jets, Cunningham played 49 snaps (75%), Morrow played 36 snaps (55%), and Dean played 32 snaps (49%). This rotation approach may add some complexity to on-field communication but Desai assured that they are prepared for such situations.

Desai credited linebackers coach D.J. Eliot for managing the rotation and sideline communication, as well as the equipment staff for handling the green dot helmets used for communication. It’s worth noting that this linebacker rotation is just one aspect of a larger rotation strategy employed by the Eagles due to numerous injuries.

Considering the challenges it presents, the Eagles must believe that the benefits of rotating at linebacker outweigh the potential drawbacks. The rotation was successful against the Jets, allowing the team to keep their players fresh throughout the game. Desai emphasized the importance of maintaining freshness and praised the performance of the linebackers.

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