At edge rusher, where Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox believes veteran sack artist and free agent Preston Smith would be an ideal fit, the Eagles appear to have the most potential for improvement this offseason. Knox stated that the Eagles’ main offseason goal is to assist with their pass rush.
A logical individual would even choose Smith above a well-known artist like Von Miller after just one glance at his latest output.
On June 17, Knox stated, “General manager Howie Roseman should definitely look for pass-rushing assistance.” “The Eagles lost Josh Sweat and just dealt Bryce Huff to the San Francisco 49ers, although they did sign Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari in free agency. This offseason, they also lost Brandon Graham to retirement. Although Philadelphia’s new pass-rushing lineup should be more than adequate, it couldn’t hurt to add a player like Preston Smith or Von Miller.
Smith Created a Silently Powerful NFL Career
Throughout his ten-year NFL career, Smith has been a subtly dominant and incredibly dependable player. His stats reveal a player who ought to be far more well-known than he is. Despite this, his lifetime earnings of almost $77.3 million have allowed him to be paid like a star.
That’s quite impressive given that Smith has never been selected to the NFL All-Pro team or made a Pro Bowl, though you might argue that he ought to have done so on multiple occasions.
With 48 tackles, 9.0 sacks, 15 TFL, 2 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles in his last season at Mississippi State in 2014, 6-foot-6 and 270-pound Smith earned All-SEC recognition.
Because to his performance, he was selected by the Washington Commanders with the 38th overall pick in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft.
The fact that Smith has averaged 7.4 sacks annually and participated in 163 of 164 regular season games during his ten NFL seasons is his most amazing statistic.
In addition, he has 138 career starts and has six seasons with more than 8.0 sacks, including a career-high 12.0 sacks in 2019. He has never had a season with fewer than 4.0 sacks. Smith also found ways to make use of his stature and athleticism; he has 27 career pass deflections and 5 career interceptions.
Before agreeing to a four-year, $52 million deal with the Green Bay Packers in 2019, Smith spent four seasons playing for Washington. Midway through the 2024 season, he was dealt to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who released him on February 14 after he re-upped on a 4-year, $52.5 million contract extension with the Packers in.
How Smith Could Join the Eagles
Few other NFL teams can give Smith a genuine shot to win the Super Bowl like Philadelphia can. The reigning Super Bowl champions have a genuine opportunity to win again because they already have top players on both sides of the ball.
The Eagles may begin with a one-year contract offer of $3 million, with the option to increase to $5 million if necessary.
