With OTAs right around the corner, the Philadelphia Eagles have been dealt an unexpected setback after linebacker Nolan Smith Jr. was arrested on May 15. The 25-year-old was accused of speeding and reckless driving in Georgia, the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office reported on Wednesday.

“Eagles EDGE Nolan Smith was arrested last Friday in Georgia for reckless driving and speeding. He was reportedly clocked going 137 mph in a 70 mph zone.” Eagle Times shared on X.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, that night, Smith was recorded going 135 miles per hour in a 70-mile-per-hour zone on the interstate at 10:41 in the evening, according to a representative, as per ESPN. Smith was released shortly after the arrest as he made bail after the bond, per the Sheriff’s office, which also revealed that a future court date for Smith has been issued.

The Eagles drafted the 25-year-old in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft and was part of the dominant Georgia defense, including Jalen Carter, Nakobe Dean, and Jordan Davis, who all were picked by Philadelphia. Smith recorded 6.5 regular-season sacks in 2024 before clocking four more in the playoffs as he played a crucial role in the Eagles’ Super Bowl run.

In 45 career regular-season games (22 starts), Smith has 83 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 64 QB pressures, 25 QB hits, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. In six postseason games, Smith has added another 22 tackles, 4.5 sacks, five tackles for loss, 20 QB pressures, and seven QB hits. Last season, he recorded 31 total tackles (15 solo), 3.0 sacks, and one forced fumble in 12 regular-season games.

Despite the dip in production, the Eagles organization picked up his fully guaranteed fifth-year option, worth $13.8 million, earlier this offseason. However, with his arrest, Nolan Smith Jr.’s future with the franchise appears to be under a cloud of doubt, especially since this is his second arrest for driving-related issues.

Eagles’ Nolan Smith Jr. also faced arrest for speeding in 2022

This recent incident isn’t the first time Nolan Smith has been arrested for traffic violations, as the Eagles linebacker faced similar charges in January 2022. During his college career with the Georgia Bulldogs, Smith was driving home from the Atlanta airport and clocked a speed of 89 miles per hour, which was 44 miles per hour over the limit, in a construction zone in Barrow County.

“Smith was charged with speeding in a construction zone and driving on a suspended license,” the report about his arrest by Marc Weiszer said. “He was reportedly going 89 miles per hour, 44 miles per hour over the limit, while traveling through Barrow County on his way home from the airport in Atlanta. Both of Smith’s charges were misdemeanors, and he was released shortly after being brought in. His license had been suspended since January 19, 2021. At the time of his arrest, Smith reportedly said that he was getting his license reinstated the next day.”

With these two separate driving incidents, Smith rejoins a group of players from the Bulldogs program who have had multiple incidents involving players cited for driving at excessive speed. Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter pleaded no contest in April 2023 to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing as a result of a January 2023 crash that resulted in the deaths of two people.

Similarly, in February 2026, Georgia linebackers Chris Cole and Darren Ikinnagbon were arrested on misdemeanor charges of speeding at maximum limits and other traffic-related charges. Athens-Clarke County police also charged Cole with misdemeanor reckless driving.

Now coming back to Nolan Smith Jr., the 25-year-old facing his second arrest for dangerous driving, has raised serious concerns about his judgment off the field. The Eagles will likely need to address the situation soon, as his fifth-year option and roster spot could both be at risk.