The house always wins in Vegas. But in the NFL, a general manager’s gamble can sometimes defy the odds. Picture Howie Roseman sitting at the high-stakes table, pushing a stack of chips into the center. The entire city holds its breath, watching his play. It’s a move that could either cement his legend or blow up in his face.
That gamble, a $4.2 million bet on veteran pass rusher Za’Darius Smith, just paid off huge. This happened despite the Eagles suffering a brutal 21-17 collapse against the Denver Broncos on October 5. While the team imploded, Smith was a lone bright spot. And it's a testament to Roseman’s savvy deal. Smith's performance is a silver lining in an otherwise cloudy defensive effort.
The Eagles' defense has been middling at best this season. They rank a disappointing 21st in yards allowed. More concerningly, their pass rush has been nearly invisible. The team has managed a mere seven sacks total through five games. The unit is clearly missing its signature ferocity. Smith, however, is defying this trend single-handedly.
Against the Broncos, he was a disruptive force. Playing 46% of the defensive snaps, Smith finished with three tackles and one sack. More importantly, his sack came on a critical third-down. This play pushed Denver out of field goal range, potentially taking three points off the board. So, he is consistently making his presence felt when it matters most.
Roseman's Masterclass Contract That Pays for Performance
Roseman’s deal for Smith is a masterclass in value. The contract is worth up to $8.25 million for the season. However, the base salary is only $4.25 million. The rest is earned through performance incentives. And this structure protects the team while motivating the player. Besides, Smith is already making his case for those bonuses.
He now has 1.5 sacks for the season. He is only 3.5 sacks away from his incentives starting to kick in. So, Smith is making sure he gets paid every penny he deserves. And his impact wasn't a one-week phenomenon against the Broncos. He announced his arrival in Week 2 against the Chiefs, logging a half-sack and proving he could immediately contribute.
The Eagles are betting big on him. Za'Darius Smith was given the locker that had been occupied by Brandon Graham days after he joined in. And Smith knows what that honor means. “I know when I was coming here, they were telling me a lot about BG. They want me to play that role kind of with the young guys, being a leader in the room. I’m all about it. I’m up for it,” he said. And he's making it count so far.
Here are his key metrics through the last four weeks of the 2025 season:
Metric | Total (Through Week 5) |
|---|---|
Games Played | 4 |
Total Snaps | 114 |
Total Tackles | 9 |
Sacks | 1.5 |
Tackles for Loss | 2 |
QB Hits | 3 |
Smith is steadily climbing toward those valuable sack incentives, proving his worth with every passing game. And this signing is looking like a steal for Philadelphia. And it is a growing regret for the Detroit Lions.
Smith was widely expected to return to Detroit this offseason. The financial structure of Philly’s offer ultimately won him over. Now, the Lions are likely watching his production with envy. His arrival couldn't be more timely for an Eagles pass rush dealing with significant injuries.
The sting of the Broncos' loss is undeniable. The Eagles blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead. The offense went cold at the worst possible moment. Jalen Hurts summarized the frustration, stating, “I think certain things don’t get you until they get you.” This defeat, however, is somewhat softened by the emergence of a reliable veteran.
Read more: Jalen Hurts owns up missed ‘dagger’ to A.J. Brown after awful loss to Broncos
Smith’s impact proves that even in a setback, a smart gamble can yield winning results. Roseman’s scratch-off already revealed one cherry. If the rest of the ticket—health, discipline, creative pressure packages—matches, the Birds can still flip this stumble into playoff success.