The Philadelphia Eagles are still less than a week away from training camp, but one NFL team is dealing with a massive headache early in its camp.
It was reported on the first day of Carolina Panthers training camp that second-year edge rusher Nic Scourton had torn his ACL and was done for the season. Scourton is getting a second opinion, but could have surgery in the next few weeks.
This has certainly put the Panthers behind the eight-ball by signing 2026 UFL Defensive Player of the Year Cam Gill to replace him, but that might not be the best solution for Carolina. The Eagles might have a better idea for them on their roster.
Eagles could offer up Nolan Smith Jr. in a trade to the Panthers
Smith is under contract for two years after the Eagles picked up his fifth-year option on his rookie deal. He is relatively cheap for an edge rusher, so he would be affordable for Carolina.
Last season was not a great season for Smith, racking up just three sacks on the year. A triceps injury put him behind, but he was still effective at pressuring the quarterback. Smith had 33 pressures and 24 hurries in 2025, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Eagles have enough depth at edge rusher that they could afford to make a move there. Jalyx Hunt can be the starter on the opposite side of Jonathan Greenard. That would leave Arnold Ebiketie and A.J. Epenesa to move up in the rotation and back those guys up.
Philly could move Smith and potentially get a third- or fourth-round pick from the Panthers as part of the deal. Any draft pick would be a win for Roseman, but a third-rounder would replace the one they lost as part of the Greenard trade.
Carolina's edge rusher problems would be solved with Smith stepping in as a starter. The good part is Smith already knows the other Panthers' starting edge rusher well. Jaelan Phillips and Smith were teammates in Philly last year, so there is a working relationship that makes sense.
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This is a trade that the Eagles should absolutely consider, as Smith is a nice player, but moving on from him now is not a bad option. They can help a fellow NFC team while getting a draft pick in the process. A win-win for both sides.
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