Vic Fangio explains his plan to replace Za'Darius Smith originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Vic Fangio was as surprised as everyone else this week when Za’Darius Smith abruptly retired.
Fangio said he didn’t have an idea that Smith was retiring until GM Howie Roesman broke the news to him on Monday morning.
“But you always respect the guy’s decisions, personal decisions,” Fangio said. “And the guy had a great career. Did fine when he was here with us. He was good to be around and wish him the best. Had to take strength to do that and I respect it.”
But the Eagles are certainly going to miss Za’Darius Smith, especially until Nolan Smith (triceps) returns later this season off Injured Reserve. The Eagles are left with four healthy edge rushers on their 53-man roster: Jalyx Hunt, Josh Uche, Azeez Ojulari and Patrick Johnson.
Fangio’s plan, for now, isn’t a shocker.
“We’ll have to absorb those snaps up with the rest of the guys and we’ll make it work,” he said.
Without a trade, the Eagles do have one other option. And Tuesday was the most open Fangio has left this door in 2025.
Could Jihaad Campbell get more snaps as an edge rusher? Now that Nakobe Dean is at least healthy enough to start taking some snaps, it could be an option, at least for a package of plays. Campbell, the first-round pick from Alabama, played inside linebacker and on the edge in college. So this is a legitimate option.
“It’s possible,” Fangio allowed. “He’s been getting edge snaps in certain ways we align.”
While most of Campbell’s snaps have come as an off-ball linebacker, he has gotten 80 of his 380 snaps on the line of scrimmage, per PFF (50 at ROLB and 30 at LOLB). But on those snaps, Campbell and Baun are the two linebackers on the field and Campell walks up to the line.
The possibility going forward is that perhaps the Eagles could walk out with Dean, Baun and Campbell and then have either Campbell or Baun play on the line of scrimmage. Even though Campbell is raw as a pass rusher, it’s an option that might be worth exploring. After Roseman drafted Campbell in April, he was quick to bring up Campbell’s ability to rush. And now there’s actually a reason to take advantage of it.
“Obviously, we know he has the versatility to potentially be out there,” Fangio said. “All of his work has been at inside other than the packages where we move them up.”
Of course, there are about three weeks before the NFL’s trade deadline on Nov. 4 at 4 p.m. and Roseman is never shy about picking up the phone. While there are plenty of examples of mid-season trades not working, it doesn’t mean the Eagles shouldn’t make an attempt.
Do the Eagles need more at edge rusher?
“Well, I think you always want more in any position,” Fangio said. “We have guys in the building that could fulfill it.”
The other name that might be on the minds of Eagles fans is Brandon Graham, who retired this offseason after 15 seasons. The 37-year-old was playing well last season before tearing his triceps in Week 12.
Has Graham been discussed as a possibility?
“Not to my knowledge,” Fangio said.
