Detroit Lions defensive end Za’Darius Smith (99) waves at fans as he exits the field after 52-6 win over Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024.
Detroit Lions defensive end Za’Darius Smith (99) waves at fans as he exits the field after 52-6 win over Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024.
The Eagles’ defense has taken a step back this season.
Things will only get tougher after Za’Darius Smith announced his retirement after just a month with the team.
Philadelphia signed an edge rusher to the practice squad to add depth after the announcement.
The Philadelphia Eagles are 4-2 and fresh off a Super Bowl victory last season, yet the team has been met with massive criticism.
They have struggled massively to move the ball on offense, and lately their defense hasn’t been anything to behold either.
Philadelphia is struggling to cover on the back end, and many of their issues stem from a lack of pressure from the defensive line.
With promising young edge rusher Nolan Smith Jr. sidelined by a triceps injury suffered in the Super Bowl, the Eagles signed veteran pass rusher Za’Darius Smith ahead of Week 2.
Eagles defensive end Za’Darius Smith tries to sack Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in Week 2.
Eagles defensive end Za’Darius Smith tries to sack Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in Week 2.
The former All-Pro defensive end offered some solid production, but he shockingly decided to retire earlier this week.
Philadelphia will undoubtedly try to add someone more established and productive, but until they can find that player, they signed edge rusher Titus Leo to the practice squad as a placeholder.
Leo is primarily a special teams player and has played only nine defensive snaps in his career, all of which came with the New England Patriots last season.
The Eagles are the midst of a two-game losing streak, and the pressure is quickly mounting for them to get things under control.
Philadelphia will visit the Minnesota Vikings this week and might be up against a very familiar face — Carson Wentz, who has a 2-1 record while filling in for injured starter J.J. McCarthy.
In 2023, the Eagles experienced a historic collapse, where they lost five of six games to finish the year after starting 10-1.
Fans in the city are praying this season isn’t a repeat, but it is beginning to look eerily similar, with a lackluster defense and an offense that has struggled badly for long stretches.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts has been under fire constantly for his low passing totals and difficulty getting the ball to wide receiver A.J. Brown.
The Vikings have one of the best defenses in the league, so the Eagles don’t have an easy task in front of them on Sunday.