Nolan Smith, Jalen Carter's 5th-Year Contract Options Exercised by Eagles, 2027 Salaries Revealed

The Philadelphia Eagles are keeping one of their young pass-rushers in the fold through the 2027 season.

The Birds picked up the $13.7 million fifth-year option on edge-rusher Nolan Smith on Monday. The team also picked up the fifth-year option for defensive tackle Jalen Carter, which will put his salary around $27.1 million.

Smith, 25, had a rough rookie season after being the No. 30 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, with just one sack and three quarterback hits in 17 games. He was far more impactful in 2024, however, notching 6.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits, two passes defensed, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.

And he was fantastic in the team's run to a Super Bowl title that season, with four sacks and a forced fumble in four postseason games.

Injuries limited Smith to just 12 games in 2025 and his production waned as well, as he posted three sacks, a tackle for loss and 11 quarterback hits.

At the top of his game, Smith is a true difference-maker off the edge, but there are some questions about his consistency.

The Eagles are going to have to make some long-term decisions soon about several members of their young defensive core, which also includes Carter, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Jordan Davis and Jalyx Hunt. Re-signing all to long-term contracts may not be feasible, and tough decisions will follow (the Eagles already locked up Davis to an extension this offseason).

But Smith's future with the team is secure through at least 2027, and the Birds will be relying on him, Hunt and the newly-acquired Jonathan Greenard to provide a potent pass rush.