3-Time Pro Bowl Eagles Newcomer Declares "Philly Will Deliver My First Super Bowl" After Signing Deal

Philadelphia, PA – September 6, 2025

When the Philadelphia Eagles moved swiftly to strengthen their defensive front after opening night, they didn’t just sign another veteran — they signed belief. For Za’Darius Smith, the three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher, joining the reigning champions isn’t just about filling a roster spot. It’s about chasing the one thing missing from his career: a Super Bowl ring.

“I’ve made the Pro Bowl. I’ve sacked the best quarterbacks. But I’ve never touched the Lombardi. Philly’s gonna change that. This city, this team — I believe it’s where my first Super Bowl happens,” Smith told reporters after inking his one-year, incentive-laden deal worth up to $9 million.

Smith arrives as Philadelphia looks to patch holes left by the retirement of franchise icon Brandon Graham and the free-agent departure of Josh Sweat. With Jalen Carter facing potential league discipline after his ejection, the need for a proven edge presence became urgent. Smith, fresh off a 2024 campaign split between Cleveland and Detroit where he racked up nine sacks, brings both production and pedigree.

General manager Howie Roseman called the signing a “no-brainer,” citing Smith’s versatility and championship hunger. For a roster already stacked with talent in Carter, Jordan Davis, and Nolan Smith, the addition of a battle-tested veteran raises the ceiling even higher.

Drafted in 2015 by the Ravens, Smith has built a career on disruption — 60 career tackles for loss, countless pressures, and a reputation as one of the NFL’s toughest edge defenders. Yet despite all the accolades, the elusive Super Bowl has never come.

“I sat in the stands during that Eagles–Cowboys opener, and I felt it — the fire, the passion, the energy. This is where champions are made. This is where I belong,” Smith said.

For the Eagles, this is more than a roster move. It’s a declaration. Signing Smith means adding leadership, attitude, and the kind of hunger that fuels deep playoff runs. And for Smith, it’s more than a contract — it’s a chance at destiny.

In Philadelphia, belonging is only half the battle. The other half is finishing the job. And Smith has made his mission clear: bring home his first Super Bowl, in Eagles green.