Word travels fast in Philadelphia, especially when the reigning Super Bowl champions show any hint of vulnerability. So when the Eagles, fresh off their season-opening win against the Cowboys, quietly signed veteran pass rusher Za’Darius Smith, the move immediately sent ripples through the NFL world. By Friday, September 5, 2025, it was official: three-time Pro Bowler Za’Darius Smith—now approaching his 33rd birthday—was joining the Eagles on a one-year deal reported to be worth up to $9 million. The message was clear: Philly wasn’t content to merely celebrate a win—they were striking while the iron was hot.
Smith arrives following a season split between the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions, where he racked up nine sacks and 17 quarterback hits across 17 games. His 11th NFL season is about to begin, and with 140 career games under his belt—including stints with the Ravens, Packers, Vikings, Browns, and Lions—Smith brings a wealth of experience: 69 sacks, 173 QB hits, 333 tackles (85 for loss), and 10 forced fumbles. He’s no stranger to impact, boasting Pro Bowl honors in 2019, 2020, and 2022, plus a Second-Team All-Pro nod in 2020 For a defense scrambling to fill voids left by Brandon Graham’s retirement and Josh Sweat’s departure, this felt like a statement-case addition
Despite the headline figure hovering near $9 million, details reveal a more nuanced financial picture. According to ProFootballTalk, Smith’s base salary is $4.25 million, with up to $4 million available through sack-related incentives, $500,000 tied to a Pro Bowl return, and $1 million contingent on postseason performance—particularly snap participation in the NFC Championship and/or Super Bowl, combined with team and individual milestonesOptional incentive structure aside, the advantage for Philly is equally appealing: by signing after Week 1, they avoid guaranteeing the remainder of his salary if they decide to move on
Philadelphia wasted no time in making corresponding moves—fullback Ben VanSumeren, who suffered a knee injury on the first play of the season, was placed on injured reserve to clear roster space. The signal was unmistakable: the Eagles weren’t just patching holes; they were fortifying their most vulnerable area.
The backdrop to this signing? A Week 1 showing that showcased the Eagles’ pass rush shortcomings in stark relief. Against the Cowboys, they registered zero sacks and just one quarterback hit on Dak Prescott—all while playing as the defending champs Spun). Jalen Carter’s controversial ejection — after a spitting incident early in the game — further heightened the narrative that the Eagles needed a stabilizing force on the edge
For Za’Darius Smith, this one-year agreement is more than another stop—it’s a chance to script one more chapter. Last season’s nine sacks remind us he’s far from done, and this opportunity offers a stage not just to contribute but to push into postseason relevance once againOne imagines him weighing the rush of a new locker room, the anticipation of fans, and the rhythm of a defense still holding fast to last season’s triumph.
And here’s the ticking clock: Smith turns 33 on September 8, only days after signing. It places him in the curious position of veteran wisdom and still-potent pass-rush threat. His professional arc has always thrived on adaptability—from Baltimore to Green Bay, Minnesota, Cleveland, Detroit, and now Philadelphia—and this move fits that mold. Howie Roseman likely had an entire chessboard of options, but this one-year gamble speaks to the Eagles’ belief in high-impact, low-commitment talent—just the kind of risk they’ve made with success in recent years
With Smith part of the fold, the present-day defensive rotation now includes Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Joshua Uche, and a healthy dose of veteran savvy. It creates a push-pull dynamic: youthful legs vs. seasoned grit, explosive potential vs. proven production. Analysts and fans alike are buzzing—not just at how Smith will transform the pass rush, but what this says about the Eagles’ championship mentality: that every edge, every detail, every pressure point matters.
For Philadelphia, this isn’t a midseason panic—it’s a deliberate upgrade, a recalibration of expectations in defense of their title. The narrative writes itself: Super Bowl champions refusing to rest on laurels, reinforcing weaknesses midstream, always sharpening their edge.
And Smith? He steps into midnight green, ready not just to finish the season, but to add the next line to his legacy: veteran leader, difference-maker, Bostonian boxer in a game of inches, delivering the pop and punch that re-kicks a defense into gear. Ten-figure headlines don’t shy from telling you this is still his prime in the eyes of contenders.
Let me know if you’d like to pivot—into incentive breakdowns, how he fits with the rotation Xs and Os, or comparisons to similar one-year signings that shaped championship trajectories.
