Nolan Smith is back in the spotlight for the wrong reason, and the Eagles edge rusher didn’t duck it.
Speaking Monday at the Jefferson Health Training Complex, Smith addressed his May arrest on speeding and reckless driving charges for the first time and called it an “unacceptable” mistake.
“I apologized to the organization, and I’ll make that apology now,” Smith said. “I represent the Eagles no matter where I go.
Georgia, Florida, doesn’t matter. That’s one of the ones where I’ll own up and apologize for.
“It’s just like that. We make mistakes, and it can’t happen again.
That’s unacceptable. I did apologize to Howie.
I did apologize to Mr. Lurie.
I can’t let my teammates down like that. They hold me to a different accountability, on and off the field.”
Smith also said that “nothing came of” the arrest. ESPN reported that he could avoid appearing in court if he pays the fines tied to the traffic citation.
The arrest came on May 15 in Georgia, where Smith, a native of the state and a former Bulldogs standout, was clocked at 135 mph in a 70 mph zone while driving a 2026 Lamborghini.
Now the 25-year-old is trying to keep the football side moving forward. A 2023 first-round pick, Smith is entering his fourth season with Philadelphia, and this year carries real weight for what comes next.
The Eagles picked up his fifth-year option in April, keeping him under team control through the 2027 season. That gives Smith a chance to push toward a contract extension, while leaving open the possibility that he could become a trade chip next offseason if that doesn’t happen.
On the field, Smith has already built a solid body of work across three seasons. He has appeared in 45 regular-season games, made 22 starts and posted 91 tackles, 10 1/2 sacks and two fumble recoveries.
His 2025 season started late because of a triceps injury that cost him five games. But when he’s healthy, Smith has shown he can be one of the league’s better run-stopping edge defenders.
He’s expected to get starter-level snaps alongside Jonathan Greenard and Jalyx Hunt, and the focus now is on staying on the field and backing up that reputation during training camp.
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