Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith Jr. faces charges of speeding and reckless driving after Georgia authorities clocked him at 135 mph in a 70 mph zone Friday night. The former first-round pick was arrested by the Twiggs County Sheriff's Office and later released on bond, with a court date pending.

Smith joined Philadelphia in 2023 as part of the franchise's effort to rebuild its defense around former Georgia standouts. He reunited with Jalen Carter, Nakobe Dean and Jordan Davis, forming a core that helped anchor one of college football's most dominant units. The Eagles selected Smith 30th overall after his impressive college career with the Bulldogs.

Last season, Smith contributed 6.5 regular-season sacks and added four more during Philadelphia's playoff run to Super Bowl LIX. His 10.5 career sacks across three seasons have made him a reliable pass-rushing option for a defense expected to compete again in 2026. The incident occurs just days before the team's organized team activities begin, potentially creating a distraction for a roster focused on building chemistry.

Smith's arrest adds uncertainty to what should be a straightforward offseason program. While the legal matter won't affect his availability for mandatory minicamp, it raises questions about judgment from a player the Eagles are counting on to develop into a consistent starter.