The Philadelphia Eagles report to the Jefferson Health Training Complex for the start of 2026 Training Camp on Tuesday, July 28th. Over the next few weeks, PhiladelphiaEagles.com will get you ready by previewing the top storylines at each position. Today, a look at the edge rusher/outside linebacker position, featuring the newly landed Jonathan Greenard.
Did You Know?
Jalyx Hunt became the first Eagle to lead the team in both sacks and interceptions in the same season (2025).
Returning Starters
Jalyx Hunt took part in the most defensive snaps for the Eagles out of all the rostered edge rushers, playing 62 percent through the 17 regular season games. The 2024 third-round pick hit his stride during the post-season of his rookie campaign, recording 1.5 sacks and eight quarterback pressures on the way to Super Bowl LIX.
Hunt carried that momentum into 2025, finishing the regular season with 52 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 57 quarterback pressures. The former Houston Christian Huskie started nine games for the Eagles in 2025 after only starting one in his rookie season.
Nolan Smith enters his fourth year in the league after being selected by the Eagles in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He was the second Georgia Bulldog selected that night by the Eagles, following Jalen Carter.
Coming off a strong sophomore campaign with the Eagles in 2024, Nolan entered 2025 as a starter at outside linebacker but was placed on Injured Reserve for five games with a triceps injury. Nolan started every game once he returned in Week 9 against the Commanders, totaling 31 tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble through 12 games.
New to the Nest
Anyone not named Nolan Smith or Jalyx Hunt are new additions this offseason.
The Eagles made headlines in April when the team acquired edge Jonathan Greenard in a trade with Minnesota. The veteran pash rusher enters his seventh year in NFL after spending his first four with the Texans.
Greenard battled injuries in 2025, appearing in 12 contests for the Vikings. In the two years prior, the former Florida Gator recorded 12.5 sacks in 2024 and 12 in 2023. Now healthy, the 29-year-old brings his experience to a young Eagles pash rush.
More veteran experience was brought in with the free agency signing of Arnold Ebiketie. Since entering the NFL in 2022 as a second-round pick by Atlanta, Ebiketie has totaled 129 tackles, 16.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and 126 quarterback pressures through 67 appearances. The former Penn State Nittany Lion returns to Pennsylvania for his fifth NFL season.
The Eagles signed another notable edge rusher to a contract just last month, signing A.J. Epenesa. Drafted by the Bills in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Iowa, Epenesa has accumulated 24 sacks, 135 tackles, four interceptions, and five forced fumbles through 91 games over his six years in Buffalo.
In Week 3 of 2023, Epenesa intercepted Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell and returned the interception for his first career touchdown.
The Eagles also added some young prospects.
Selected in the seventh round with the 252nd pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, rookie Keyshawn James-Newby will look to make a case for the active roster during Training Camp.
James-Newby played college football for six years, starting at Montana Tech (2020-22), then playing at Idaho (2023-24), and finished his career at New Mexico. The 6-foot-1, 240-pound edge rusher had nine sacks in 2025 for the Mountain West's New Mexico Lobos, bringing his total sack count in college football to 23.5.
The Eagles signed outside linebacker Joshua Weru as an undrafted free agent out of the NFL's International Player Program, from which they already drafted Uar Bernard. From Nairobi, Weru was a player for the Kenyan National Rugby Team and now looks to transition to American football.
Weru's athletic potential is intriguing. The rugby player ran a 4.45 40-yard dash at 6-foot-4, 244 pounds, leapt a 41.5 inch vertical and 11-2 broad jump.
The first outside linebacker acquisition this offseason was Jose Ramirez. The former Eastern Michigan Mustang signed a reserve/future contract with the Eagles in January. A sixth-round pick by Tampa Bay in 2023, Ramirez spent time between the Buccaneers' practice squad and active roster.
Bird Call
Greenard on his first impressions of Smith and Hunt: "I'm really excited. Those two, Jalyx and Nolan, their game is only going to continue to grow. And I think my job here is just to continue to help them with that. Any two cents I got, I'm going to do that to make sure that they get to that point that I know they want to get to."
Storylines to Follow
How will Greenard look in his first Training Camp as an Eagle? ... What will the rotation of edge rushers look like? ... Which new additions will stand out? What will year 2 of a Hunt-Smith partnership look like as they continue to develop?
How Many Made the Initial 53 in 2025: 5
- Written by Caroline Connor
