Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Nolan Smith has not had the best past year, both on and off the field.
Smith was arrested last month and accused of speeding and reckless driving. Looking back at last year, it was a down season for Smith, who had three sacks in 12 games while dealing with a triceps injury that sidelined him.
There is still a belief in Smith that he can step up and play well going into his fourth season in the NFL, as the Eagles showed that by picking up his fifth-year option on his rookie contract. FanSided's Wynston Wilcox also believes in Smith, as he listed him as the Eagles' hidden gem who will become a household name.
"The Philadelphia Eagles parted ways with Josh Sweat for cost-cutting measures and need someone to step up as the leader of this defensive line off the edge. That should be Nolan Smith Jr. Though he had just three sacks in 12 games last year, he had 6.5 in 16 games in 2025. If he shows potential this year, the Eagles won’t have to worry about upgrading their defensive line. Smith was a late first round pick in 2023 and with his extension looming, he’ll certainly find a way to maximize how much he makes after his fifth-year option expires."
Nolan Smith could be in for a breakout season with Eagles
Smith showed many signs back in 2024, playing a massive role off the edge when Bryce Huff was dealing with his injury. It was Smith who emerged and had the best season of his career, leading the Eagles to let Josh Sweat walk in free agency and then trading Huff to the San Francisco 49ers.
Since then, though, Smith has struggled to find that same consistency. He's able to get pressure on the quarterback, but the sack numbers have to go up, and he's got to make more plays. Last year, his backup, Jalyx Hunt, outplayed him as Hunt led the Eagles in sacks and interceptions.
That has put Smith in a tough spot, with Hunt emerging as a potential star on this team, while he's starting to lose the excitement that surrounded him in the 2025 offseason. While Hunt still has some things to prove, it's Smith who has more to do to get back in the good graces of the Eagles and the fan base.
Read more: Jalen Carter directly impacts future of Eagles' "hidden gem"
This could be a make-or-break season for Smith to show that he can be the future pass-rushing star the Eagles need. If he can, that could help land him a massive contract extension in the offseason.
Add us as a preferred source on Google