Philadelphia Eagles fans were hoping that when they signed edge rusher Za'Darius Smith from free agency after the 24-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys, he was going to make an immediate impact. Smith certainly did that early in the Kansas City Chiefs game on Sunday.
On the second Chiefs' offensive drive of the game, Smith and rookie safety Andrew Mukuba were able to make an impact by stopping the run. Smith was in on a tackle for a loss on the Chiefs' loss of Isaiah Pacheco. Kansas City would go on to miss the field goal on that drive.
Smith would make the biggest play of the game for the Eagles' defense on the next Chiefs drive. On third and eight on the Eagles' 27-yard line, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was sacked by Smith and Mukuba to force the field goal.
DOWN GOES MAHOMES pic.twitter.com/xAGUQJcggz
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 14, 2025
Smith has been everything Eagles fans have hoped for and more
Eagles fans need to understand that Smith has only been with the team for about a week, so he isn't playing as many snaps as some might hope, but he has been impactful when on the field. He has shown off his speed off the edge and been able to make some critical plays.
The impact that Smith can make is more in pass-rushing situations, but he can do more than that in run support. He has been elite whenever he has been on the field for the Eagles.
There could be a point later in the season where he might end up getting significant snaps to the point where he might even start over Nolan Smith Jr. or Jalyx Hunt. The three-time Pro Bowler could be in the running for more snaps, but most likely more in pass-rushing third down situations.
Read more: Eagles' inactives for Chiefs Week 2 game might have sealed edge rusher's fate
It has been a great start for Smith with the Eagles. He just needs to keep up that energy.