Key Eagles position is struggling.
TAMPA, Fla. — The Eagles’ defense made big plays in the team’s 31-25 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium, but not everybody performed well.
It was a quiet day from Philadelphia’s edge rushers, who have not made a strong impression through the first four weeks of the season. Linebacker Zack Baun and defensive tackle Moro Ojomo were the only players to sack Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.
The Eagles need more production from edge rushers Jalyx Hunt, Josh Uche, Za’Darius Smith and Nolan Smith to consistently play at an elite level. Za’Darius Smith leads the edge rushers in sacks with a half sack.
Philadelphia’s pass rush was dominant during last season’s Super Bowl run, but it got off to a slow start in the regular season. The same thing could happen this year, according to Uche.
“Everyone has to do their job, and the sacks will come,” Uche told NJ Advance Media after the game. “They come in bunches. You just got to keep chipping away.”
After losing Josh Sweat in free agency and Brandon Graham to retirement, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman trusted that Nolan Smith and Hunt could be top pass rushers, but that decision hasn’t panned out yet. Smith was placed on short-term injured reserve last Wednesday and is out at least three more weeks with a strained triceps. As for Hunt, he has taken a step back after a promising rookie season.
“I’m not mad at what I’m doing right now,” Hunt told NJ Advance. “I just need to keep making strides.”
To solve the issue, Roseman could make a significant trade for an edge rusher before the trade deadline on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Starting edge rushers on bad teams are the most realistic targets.
Dolphins edge Jaelan Phillips could be a good fit after playing one season (2023) for Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio in Miami. However, Phillips has missed 22 games in the last two years due to a torn ACL and torn Achilles, making him a huge risk.
Titans edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones had the best years of his career playing in Fangio’s defense with the Broncos. Saints’ Carl Granderson and Patriots’ Keion White could make sense as well.
Injuries to Nolan Smith and Ogbo Okoronkwo have created serious depth issues, increasing the chances of a trade. For now, the Eagles have to lean on Za’Darius Smith, who said he does not have a full understanding of Fangio’s scheme after signing three weeks ago.
“Man, Nolan is always a missed presence when he’s not out there,” Hunt said. “It’s just his energy and how tenacious he is rushing. There is definitely a change, but (we) just got to get back to the quarterback when rushing. We’re still working on it.“
Za’Darius Smith said the pass rush “did okay” against the Buccaneers and should improve as he gets more comfortable with his role. Smith and Uche each had four pressures, according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats.
After not being active for the first four weeks, Azeez Ojulari will likely be in the rotation next week against the Denver Broncos. Patrick Johnson could receive snaps, too.
Nolan Smith has to return to his playoff form (he had 4.5 sacks in the playoffs last season) for Philadelphia’s defense to dominate down the stretch. Soon, the Eagles could pair Smith with a new edge rusher.
But in the meantime, Philadelphia’s other edge rushers have to become more disruptive.
“That’s the question,” Hunt said when asked about how the pass rush can get home more. “That’s a big question right now. So we got to work, put our heads down and work again. Playing elsewhere well, so we got to bring everything up.”
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Category: General Sports
