The Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive meeting room can be a tense place to be in. Every week, it seems another key card is folded and taken out of the hand.
The latest to leave the table? Young pass rusher Nolan Smith. His absence creates a void, a glaring question mark on the depth chart that demands an answer.
This is the kind of moment that can define a season for a team with championship aspirations. The spotlight isn't on one player but on the entire philosophy of the organization.
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni addressed that very question. His response was a masterclass in team-first messaging. When asked how the Eagles compensate for Smith’s loss, Sirianni didn’t name a single replacement. Instead, he framed it like a defensive scheme.
“Yeah, this is why you have depth. This is why I'm so appreciative of Howie and his staff for the players they bring in,” Sirianni began. He credited general manager Howie Roseman and his staff. Then, he delivered the core philosophy. “It never just has to be one, right? Just like how you play defense. It's not one guy who has to make the tackle. Sometimes he does, but you play as a team. It's the same thing—you got group tackles, gang tackles—and it's the same here.”
This “gang tackle” approach is now being tested. Smith’s 142 snaps, a hefty 76% of the defensive plays, are now up for grabs. The Eagles’ pass rush, already quiet with a league-worrying three sacks total, can ill afford a drop-off. And Sirianni’s confidence hinges on a committee approach.
It’s a bold strategy, reminiscent of a baseball team relying on its bullpen instead of a single ace. But will it be enough to pressure Buccaneers’ quarterback Baker Mayfield? The answer lies in a group of veterans and a versatile rookie.
Eagles' Committee in the Trenches
The immediate burden falls to the experienced players. Newcomer Za’Darius Smith, signed just weeks ago, sees his role expand dramatically. After playing just 44 snaps over two games, he’s now the presumed leader of the pack. His pedigree is proven, but at 33, his stamina is a question. Then there’s Jalyx Hunt.
Hunt's 17.3% pressure rate leads the defensive line. His snap count is sure to jump from 62%. They will be supported by Josh Uche and, potentially, Azeez Ojulari, who has been a healthy scratch but possesses a resume of 22 career sacks. The most intriguing wild card, however, is rookie first-rounder Jihaad Campbell.
Primarily an inside linebacker, Campbell has already taken 38 snaps on the defensive line this season. His former edge-rushing experience at Alabama makes him a flexible weapon for coordinator Vic Fangio. Teammate Zack Baun, who successfully made a similar transition, is a believer.
“Each game, he’s gotten better,” Baun said of Campbell. “His length and speed is an added bonus.” This versatility is a luxury the Eagles will gladly exploit. Now, Sirianni’s philosophy is a gamble built on preparation.
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The Eagles spent the offseason collecting defensive pieces for exactly this scenario. The “gang tackle” mindset must now translate from a coaching cliché to on-field production. The entire NFC will be watching to see if Philadelphia’s depth can withstand this early-season blow.