Eagles assistant linebackers coach Ronnell Williams left to become the Raiders’ linebackers coach on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Williams’ first season on the job will be tough unless the Raiders improve their linebacker corps.
Perhaps Williams could convince an Eagles star to follow him this offseason. The Raiders enter free agency with the NFL’s second-most cap space — over $91 million — and could target someone like Nakobe Dean to fix their defense.
Dean, a premier player, is unlikely to re-sign with Philadelphia because the team already has significant starting talent and depth at linebacker. The Eagles drafted Jihaad Campbell in the first round last spring to be Dean’s eventual replacement, and there’s no reason to believe they won’t make that switch in 2026.
As a part-time starter this past season, Campbell recorded 80 tackles, one interception and forced one fumble.
Dean replaced Campbell in the starting lineup during the final two months of the season, but it was more of a reflection of Dean’s strong play rather than Campbell’s struggles.
The fourth-year linebacker finished the season with 55 tackles, four sacks and two forced fumbles.
If not the Raiders, Dean should command starting-linebacker money elsewhere. He could have multiple suitors. As of now, Spotrac projects he will make just under $8 million per year.
