Most Philadelphia Eagles fans are still in a state of numbness with all the issues with injuries and their blown 10-point lead in the fourth quarter to a loss to the Los Angeles Rams 24-20 in Week 4, but it wasn't all bad, as Nolan Smith Jr. was great.
Last year, Smith struggled with a triceps injury that kept him out for four games, and he finished with only three sacks in 13 games. Although he got his fifth-year option picked up on his rookie deal, he was arrested for speeding and reckless driving, which already had him in trouble with Eagles fans.
Despite the pass rush this season, Smith has been one of the bright spots in his overall performance struggles. The Rams, as awful as they were, at least got a great performance from Smith in one of the best games of his young NFL career.
Eagles got a great game from Nolan Smith Jr. in the loss to the Rams
Smith constantly pressured Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford throughout the game. He was constantly in Stafford's face and produced a lot.
For the game, Smith finished with two tackles, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit, and one sack. From what fans saw, it certainly felt like he did more than those stats, as he got pressures time and time again.
The Eagles should have had more sacks, but credit Stafford for mostly getting the ball out of his hands. Smith helped cause at least one of the two Stafford interceptions by getting in the area for a sack.
When Jonathan Greenard got hurt and left the game, Smith stepped up to the plate and kept the pressure on Stafford. Jalyx Hunt usually did that more consistently, but this time Smith took over the game off the edge.
Smith now has two sacks this season and is leading the way for the Eagles. The team hoped for more from Hunt and Greenard, but Smith has done a great job stepping up for them.
This will certainly help the Eagles decide what they want to do with Smith in the offseason, with a potential new contract since he is eligible for one. There is more time; he has to keep proving it, but he is on track to earn a big paycheck this offseason.
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Over the next few weeks, the Eagles have a lot to fix on this team, but Smith isn't part of that problem. He has been a bright spot for this team in 2026.
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