Eagles correct biggest shortcoming by signing sack artist

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Eagles correct biggest shortcoming by signing three-time Pro Bowl sack artist

By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Sep 5, 2025 4:54 PM ET

The weakest part of the Philadelphia Eagles was exposed during their 24-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night. Minus defensive tackle Jalen Carter, the pass rush and run defense looked suspect in the season-opening victory in front of 69,879 fans at Lincoln Financial Field.

Per Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Eagles signed defensive end Za'Darius Smith to a one-year deal on Friday.

"Three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Za’Darius Smith is signing with the Eagles on a one-year deal, sources tell me and @RapSheet," Pelissero posted on X. "Smith has 69 career sacks, including nine last season. Now he joins the defending champs on a deal negotiated by @ErikBurkhardt of ROC Nation."

Three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Za’Darius Smith is signing with the #Eagles on a one-year deal, sources tell me and @RapSheet.

Smith has 69 career sacks, including nine last season. Now he joins the defending champs on a deal negotiated by @ErikBurkhardt of ROC Nation. pic.twitter.com/yNkWtPmgCk
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 5, 2025

The Philadelphia Eagles needed Za'Darius Smith

The Eagles looked like they could use another veteran on the edge. Philadelphia recorded no sacks of Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. The defense gave up 5.4 yards per rush.

Za'Darius Smith. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Eagles lost three defensive linemen this offseason from the elite group that helped win February's Super Bowl: Josh Sweat, Milton Williams and Brandon Graham.

Those losses were noticeable against a rebuilt Dallas offensive line that had its way in the first half. Had Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb not dropped three passes, the Eagles defense would have been put on blast before their Week 2 contest against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Smith has appeared in 140 games and started 96. He's recorded 333 tackles, 69 sacks, 16 passes defensed and 10 forced fumbles. Smith has made three Pro Bowl appearances with his last coming in 2022. He earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2020.

Jordan Sigler

Jordan Sigler is a sports writer with a decade of experience as a journalist, including his time as a breaking news/day cops reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. His sports coverage across the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, and college football world has also been featured at ChiCitySports, Gridiron Heroics, Pro Football Network, and Athlon Sports. Based in Austin, Texas, Jordan graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Texas Tech University in 2014

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