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When the Philadelphia Eagles selected Nolan Smith in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, they weren't drafting a finished product. They were instead investing in one of the most explosive athletes in the class.
They believed his speed, effort, football IQ, and relentless motor would eventually develop into consistent production. That process has taken time. Injuries have delayed things, and here we are. 2026 is already year four for him at football's highest level.
Philadelphia exercised the fifth-year option baked into Smith's contract, which means he's signed through at least 2027, but even though he has often rewarded the organization's patience, no man can overcome the limitations of an injured body. The scariest part for the Eagles? That's easy. There's fear that a guy they truly like may be injury-prone, and there's the offseason mishap to mull over. The scary part for opposing offenses? What if he is healthy now? What if his biggest leap may still be ahead?
As the Eagles prepare for training camp, much of the conversation surrounding the pass rush has focused on Jonathan Greenard's arrival, Nolan Smith's running mate Jalyx Hunt, and what the rotation might look like under Vic Fangio if both Greenard and Smith are indeed healthy.
Quietly, however, Smith enters perhaps the most important offseason of his young NFL career. For the first time since arriving in Philadelphia, he appears to have something he's rarely enjoyed, a healthy offseason. Development in the NFL is rarely linear, and though losing in the Wild Card Round was tough, it did allow Philadelphia to benefit from some longer rest.
Smith spent much of last offseason recovering from a torn triceps, and the injury lingered into the 2025 regular season. Even so, he continued flashing the traits that made him one of college football's most disruptive defenders. His explosiveness off the edge remained evident. His pursuit never wavered. Most importantly, he continued to generate pressure, but his sack production dipped while that of Jalyx Hunt kept trending upward.
One reason the Eagles remain optimistic about Smith's future is the talent surrounding him. He doesn't have to do everything, and there could be another level waiting to emerge now that he's had the opportunity to prepare without rehabilitation dominating his offseason.
Jonathan Greenard gives Philadelphia another proven edge defender capable of demanding attention from offensive tackles. Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis continue collapsing the pocket from the interior, while Jalyx Hunt has developed into another athletic option capable of affecting quarterbacks.
The depth matters. Elite pass rushers often benefit from the players lining up beside them, and the Eagles have assembled one of the NFL's deepest defensive fronts. Opposing offenses simply can't devote all of their protection resources to stopping one player.
That should create favorable opportunities for Smith throughout the season. The Eagles haven't really asked him to become the next great one-man pass rush. They've asked him to join a relentless defensive front that overwhelms offenses with waves of talent.
He's already shown he belongs. Now comes the opportunity to show just how high his ceiling really is. If Smith takes the next step Philadelphia believes he's capable of, the Eagles won't simply have another productive edge rusher. They'll have another cornerstone defender, and perhaps one of the biggest reasons their championship aspirations remain very much alive.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Nolan Smith could be the Eagles’ biggest pass-rush X-factor
Continue reading...
They believed his speed, effort, football IQ, and relentless motor would eventually develop into consistent production. That process has taken time. Injuries have delayed things, and here we are. 2026 is already year four for him at football's highest level.
Philadelphia exercised the fifth-year option baked into Smith's contract, which means he's signed through at least 2027, but even though he has often rewarded the organization's patience, no man can overcome the limitations of an injured body. The scariest part for the Eagles? That's easy. There's fear that a guy they truly like may be injury-prone, and there's the offseason mishap to mull over. The scary part for opposing offenses? What if he is healthy now? What if his biggest leap may still be ahead?
Nolan Smith may finally have everything working in his favor
As the Eagles prepare for training camp, much of the conversation surrounding the pass rush has focused on Jonathan Greenard's arrival, Nolan Smith's running mate Jalyx Hunt, and what the rotation might look like under Vic Fangio if both Greenard and Smith are indeed healthy.
Quietly, however, Smith enters perhaps the most important offseason of his young NFL career. For the first time since arriving in Philadelphia, he appears to have something he's rarely enjoyed, a healthy offseason. Development in the NFL is rarely linear, and though losing in the Wild Card Round was tough, it did allow Philadelphia to benefit from some longer rest.
Smith spent much of last offseason recovering from a torn triceps, and the injury lingered into the 2025 regular season. Even so, he continued flashing the traits that made him one of college football's most disruptive defenders. His explosiveness off the edge remained evident. His pursuit never wavered. Most importantly, he continued to generate pressure, but his sack production dipped while that of Jalyx Hunt kept trending upward.
One reason the Eagles remain optimistic about Smith's future is the talent surrounding him. He doesn't have to do everything, and there could be another level waiting to emerge now that he's had the opportunity to prepare without rehabilitation dominating his offseason.
The Eagles don't need Nolan Smith to do it alone
Jonathan Greenard gives Philadelphia another proven edge defender capable of demanding attention from offensive tackles. Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis continue collapsing the pocket from the interior, while Jalyx Hunt has developed into another athletic option capable of affecting quarterbacks.
The depth matters. Elite pass rushers often benefit from the players lining up beside them, and the Eagles have assembled one of the NFL's deepest defensive fronts. Opposing offenses simply can't devote all of their protection resources to stopping one player.
That should create favorable opportunities for Smith throughout the season. The Eagles haven't really asked him to become the next great one-man pass rush. They've asked him to join a relentless defensive front that overwhelms offenses with waves of talent.
He's already shown he belongs. Now comes the opportunity to show just how high his ceiling really is. If Smith takes the next step Philadelphia believes he's capable of, the Eagles won't simply have another productive edge rusher. They'll have another cornerstone defender, and perhaps one of the biggest reasons their championship aspirations remain very much alive.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Nolan Smith could be the Eagles’ biggest pass-rush X-factor
Continue reading...
