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 out of 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 3.0 sacks over 12 starts after he missed five games.
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 in Georgia last week following a traffic stop, according to a Wednesday night report from WMAZ-TV. The Eagles outside linebacker was pulled over on Interstate 16 in Twiggs County last Friday and charged with speeding and reckless driving.
He was booked into Twiggs County Jail and later released on bond. Several social media posts have claimed Smith was driving 137 mph in a 70-mph zone but no confirmed or reliable evidence has surfaced publicly to back that figure.
Nolan Smith’s Past Traffic Arrest
This isn’t the first time Smith has faced legal trouble on the road. Back in January 2022, he was arrested in Barrow County on charges of speeding in a construction zone and driving with a suspended license. Reports at the time indicated he was traveling 89 miles per hour, 44 over the posted limit, while heading home from the Atlanta airport.
Both charges were misdemeanors and he was released shortly after being taken into custody. His license had reportedly been suspended since January 19, 2021. After the arrest, Smith allegedly told authorities he planned to get it reinstated the following day.
Smith grew up in Savannah, Georgia and won two national championships at the University of Georgia before being drafted by Philadelphia. The Eagles will be watching how this situation develops as they head into an offseason with plenty already on their plate defensively.
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