How Good Can the Eagles Defense Become Under Vic Fangio? Nolan Smith Has an Answer

The Philadelphia Eagles may have plenty of reasons to believe their defense can dominate again, however, Nolan Smith is not putting a ceiling on it, and with Jonathan Greenard's availability for Week 1 suddenly in doubt, Smith could have a much bigger role in making that confidence real.

Smith enters 2026 healthy after spending much of last season battling a triceps injury. Now, with Vic Fangio running the show and Greenard sidelined, the former first-round pick has a chance to turn that confidence into production.

Nolan Smith And The Philadelphia Eagles Are Betting On Fangio's Defense

Smith is not shy about what he thinks the Eagles' defense can become. He believes the group has been building toward something special, with Fangio providing the structure and trust needed to make it work.

"I'm excited to start the season. We don't have any ceiling. We have been building brick by brick how we want it. With Coach Fangio at the helm, I feel like anything is possible for us. Everybody in our room trusts him, believes him, and he is a phenomenal coach. We will just fly around and let our hair out"

That belief is not coming out of nowhere. The Eagles have allowed the fewest points per game over the past two seasons when their starters have been on the field under Fangio. That gives Smith plenty of reason to trust the system.

However, the defense could face an early test. Greenard, whom Philadelphia acquired and signed to a four-year extension worth nearly $100 million, has been sidelined with a pec injury. Fangio has already admitted he's concerned about Greenard being ready for the opener.

For Smith, that is also an opportunity. The 2023 first-round pick is finally healthy after tearing his triceps during Super Bowl LIX and aggravating the injury last season. He played only 12 games in 2025 and finished with three sacks after producing 10.5 over the regular 45-season games of the previous season.

Now, he believes his body is ready for the grind. Smith said his biggest priority this offseason was making sure his arm was strong enough to handle all 18 weeks. That is important because the Eagles could need him immediately if Greenard isn't ready.

And Smith is not planning to change how he plays. Standing at only 6-foot-2 and weighing 238 pounds, he is undersized compared to many other edge rushers in the NFL, but his physicality has never been able to keep up with his measurements. He will go at defenders, set the edge, and play aggressively enough for Fangio to get the most out of.

There is another problem that looms over his career, too. Philadelphia made its fifth-year option for 2027, and although they have not extended him yet, as they have done with Jalen Carter .

If Smith has a great 2026 season, that would likely all be sorted very soon. For now, though, he is focused on the project in Philadelphia. Fangio has earned his trust, and the defense has a proven history as well.