Nolan Smith has been one of the Philadelphia Eagles' key investments on defense, and the organization showed that clearly this offseason when general manager Howie Roseman picked up the 25-year-old's fifth-year option.
The former first-round pick in the 2023 draft has put together a solid foundation through 45 career appearances, recording 46 solo tackles, 45 assisted tackles, 10.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. A triceps injury hurt his 2025 season, limiting him to 31 tackles and three sacks in 12 starts.
The Eagles were already sorting through questions about their defensive rotation heading into 2026. Now there's another issue to deal with.
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Smith was arrested following a traffic stop on Interstate 16 in Twiggs County, Georgia, on Friday, according to a report from WMAZ-TV.
He was booked into the Twiggs County Jail on charges of speeding and reckless driving, and later released on bond. According to ESPN, the Twiggs County Sheriff's Office said Smith was clocked at 135 mph in a 70 mph zone.
This isn't the first time Smith has faced legal trouble. In January 2022, he was arrested in Barrow County, Georgia, on charges of speeding in a construction zone and driving with a suspended license. Reports at the time indicated he was traveling 89 mph, 44 mph over the posted limit, while heading home from the Atlanta airport.
Smith grew up in Savannah, Georgia, and won two national championships at the University of Georgia before being drafted by Philadelphia.
