Detroit Lions defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) celebrates 31-9 win over Minnesota Vikings as he exits the field at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.
Apparently Howie Roseman didn't like what he saw from the Philadelphia Eagles' pass rush in Thursday night's game against the Cowboys, because he's already bringing in reinforcements.
The Eagles announced Friday afternoon that they are signing defensive end Za'Darius Smith to a one-year contract. In a corresponding move, they placed fullback Ben VanSumeren on injured reserve.
Smith, who turns 33 on Monday, brings 10 years of NFL experience and 69 career sacks to the Eagles. Since being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2015, the three-time Pro Bowler has averaged 8.4 sacks per 17-game season.
Across his career, Smith has played for the Ravens, the Green Bay Packers, the Minnesota Vikings, the Cleveland Browns and, most recently, the Detroit Lions.
Although he was traded from Cleveland to Detroit halfway through the 2024 season, Smith showed no sign of slowing down. He racked up a grand total of nine sacks, five with the Browns and four with the Lions.
The Eagles had a massive offseason exodus of veteran defensive talent. Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Milton Williams, Darius Slay Jr., Avonte Maddox and Isaiah Rodgers all departed via free agency, trade or retirement. In the 2024 regular season, those seven players totaled 3,714 snaps.
Now the Eagles have the youngest defense in the NFL. That inexperience showed in Thursday night's game, especially in the first half. Dak Prescott and the Cowboys moved up and down the field at will.
For just the second time in Prescott's 14 career games against the Eagles, the Birds didn't sack him once. The only other time was Week 17 of the 2016 season, when the Cowboys had the NFC East locked up and Prescott only played two series.
Clearly, Jalen Carter's inexcusable ejection changed the complexion of the run defense, but the other starters didn't impress either. Many Eagles, namely Nolan Smith and Quinyon Mitchell, committed costly penalties.
The Eagles struggled against the Cowboys' offense, and to make matters worse, they'll face a much better group next Sunday. They'll go on the road to Kansas City to face the Chiefs in a Super Bowl LIX rematch.
Based on Thursday night, the Eagles defense needs a veteran with experience to guide them. Za'Darius Smith fits that bill, and hopefully he'll provide just that.
