What Nolan Smith’s Contract Restructure Means for the Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles have made another salary-cap move Wednesday, and this time it involves restructuring the contract of outside linebacker Nolan Smith Jr.

According to Spotrac via X, the Philadelphia Eagles have converted roughly 1.24 million of Nolan Smith’s 2026 salary into a signing bonus, which creates about $992,000 in additional cap space for 2026. They also reworked roughly 12.5 million of Smith’s 2027 fifth-year option into an option bonus, which creates approximately 10 million in cap-space for 2027.

Don’t get this confused with Nolan Smith receiving a new deal, this is simply an accounting money play by the Eagles. That is the important part: this is not a contract extension.

For Howie Roseman, this simply gives him more flexibility, and the ability to do what he does best - which is make moves. Roseman now has options to make an in-season move, like a veteran addition, or simply carry the money forward given they don’t have to use the money this season. It can be particularly valuable to a team who has Super Bowl expectations, injuries can arise and dismantle things quite quickly for the team, as we see with star guard Landon Dickerson who was just placed on the IR. So being able to pick up a reinforcement is very valuable. 

Nolan Smith Jr., the former first-round pick has shown real promise on the field, most notably during the 2024 Eagles Super Bowl run, where he finished the regular season with 6.5 sacks and made a difference in the playoffs. 2025 season, Nolan dealt with some injuries which makes this current season a very important one, as likely the Eagles will evaluate whether he can become a long term piece on this defence. 

Smith’s future with the Eagles entirely relies on his play on the field than this restructure.

For now, the Eagles have Smith locked in through 2027 while giving themselves some financial breathing room.

This move gives Howie Roseman exactly what he likes to have when things pop up - options. 

PHOTO CREDIT: Eric Hartline - Imagn Images