Eagles Sign Za’Darius Smith: What Does It Mean Moving Forward?
The Philadelphia Eagles made a notable addition to their defense following a gritty win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1. The Eagles signed veteran EDGE Za’Darius Smith to a one-year deal, reportedly worth up to $8.25 million.
Smith will reportedly have a base salary of $4.25 million with the Eagles in 2025. There is also an additional $4 million available in incentives for Smith to earn this season.
Here is a breakdown of the incentives, according to Pro Football Talk:
$2.5 million in unknown sack incentives
$500,000 if he participates in at least 30% of snaps in the NFC Championship and the Eagles win the NFC Championship and he has at least 11 sacks during the regular season or qualifies for the Pro Bowl
$500,000 if he participates in at least 30% of snaps in the Super Bowl and the Eagles win the Super Bowl and he has at least 11 sacks during the regular season or qualifies for the Pro Bowl
$500,000 if he qualifies for the Pro Bowl
It’s also worth noting that since Smith was signed after Week 1, the Eagles won’t be responsible for paying the remaining balance of his salary as termination pay if he’s released. Yet it is worth noting that Smith can make significantly more than any other edge rusher currently on Philadelphia’s roster in 2025.
Smith can earn up to $8.25 million total this season. Meanwhile, the other five edge rushers on Philadelphia’s roster (Nolan Smith Jr., Azeez Ojulari, Ogbo Okoronkwo, Joshua Uche and Jalyx Hunt) are set to make roughly $10.2 million combined in 2025.
While Smith will be making more than any of Philadelphia’s other edge rushers, that doesn’t mean that he’ll suddenly leap to the top of the depth chart. The Eagles still view Nolan Smith Jr. and Jalyx Hunt as their top two edge defenders.
Smith dominated the snap share at EDGE in Week 1 against the Cowboys, as he played 52 defensive snaps (85%). Hunt was second with 39 defensive snaps (64%). Then there was a significant drop-off to Joshua Uche (19 defensive snaps) and Patrick Johnson (12 defensive snaps).
The most notable takeaway at EDGE from Week 1 might he actually be who didn’t play for the Eagles. Both Azeez Ojulari and Ogbo Okoronkwo were healthy inactives, which signaled that a possible move was coming.
Now Smith has been inserted into the mix and should be the fourth edge defender on Philadelphia’s depth chart behind the starting duo and Uche, at the very least. Uche surprised and recorded four total pressures in 18 pass rushing opportunities against the Cowboys, according to Pro Football Focus.
At 32-years old, Smith is now the elder statesman in Philadelphia’s edge rushers room. Yet he still has a lot to offer, which was evident last season. Smith split time with the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions last season, as he recorded 67 total pressures in 445 pass rushing snaps in 2024.
Smith’s pressure rate of 15% would have easily been the highest of any IDL or EDGE on the Eagles last season. Yet Smith isn’t just a pass rusher, he also provides value with his size and alignment versatility.
At 6’4”, 275 lbs., Smith brings significantly more size on the edge than any other current player does in Philadelphia. Hunt is the next closest edge defender to Smith’s frame, yet he’s still one inch shorter and 23 lbs. lighter.
Following Smith’s arrival, it’s going to be interesting to see how it impacts the rest of the EDGE room. Are the Eagles going to move on from Ojulari or Okoronkwo now? We’ll see.
Despite the looming questions, one thing is for sure: Smith should significantly raise the floor of Philadelphia’s EDGE group this season. Now it’s time to see how quickly he can get acclimated in Vic Fangio’s defense after missing all of training camp and preseason.