Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher Preston Smith.
In an effort to ensure the team isn’t settling for “just good enough” and is instead striving for excellence — something the Philadelphia Eagles have excelled at in recent seasons — there may still be room to strengthen the defense of the reigning Super Bowl champions heading into 2025.
The area where Philadelphia might have the most room for improvement this late in the offseason is at edge rusher, where Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox believes veteran pass rusher and current free agent Preston Smith could be an ideal fit. Knox pointed to improving the Eagles’ pass rush as their biggest remaining offseason priority.
A glance at Smith’s recent productivity may lead reasonable observers to prefer him over a more famous name like Von Miller, in fact.
“General manager Howie Roseman should continue monitoring the pass-rushing market,” Knox noted in his June 17 piece. “Philadelphia added Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari in free agency, but lost Josh Sweat and dealt Bryce Huff to the 49ers. They also said goodbye to Brandon Graham, who retired. The Eagles’ revamped pass-rush group should be solid, but bringing in a vet like Von Miller or Preston Smith could be a real boost.”
Smith Has Quietly Put Together a Strong NFL Career
Smith has quietly been one of the most reliable and effective pass rushers in the league over his 10-year career. His resume suggests he deserves more recognition than he’s received — even if his paychecks, totaling about $77.3 million, reflect his value.
That’s especially notable since Smith has never made a Pro Bowl or earned All-Pro recognition, though there’s an argument he’s deserved both on multiple occasions.
Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 270 pounds, Smith dominated during his senior year at Mississippi State in 2014 with 48 tackles, 9.0 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, two picks and two forced fumbles, earning All-SEC status. That campaign launched him into the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft, where Washington selected him 38th overall.
The most remarkable stat about Smith is his availability: he’s played in 163 of 164 regular season games and has averaged 7.4 sacks per year across 10 seasons.
He’s started 138 games and topped 8.0 sacks six different times, peaking with 12.0 sacks in 2019. He’s never had fewer than 4.0 sacks in any season. His versatility also stands out — with five interceptions and 27 pass deflections.
Smith spent four years in Washington before signing a four-year, $52 million deal with the Green Bay Packers in 2019. He later extended his contract in 2022 for four more years at $52.5 million. The Packers traded him to Pittsburgh during the 2024 season, and the Steelers released him on February 14.
How the Eagles Could Add Smith to the Mix
Philadelphia can offer Smith something few teams can match — a legitimate shot at another Super Bowl. The reigning champions already boast talent across the board and are built to compete again.
When it comes to a contract, Philadelphia might begin with a one-year, $3 million offer, potentially increasing it to $5 million depending on interest.
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