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Eagles Sign Veteran Edge Rusher, Ex-Lions Star, in Free Agency

Philadelphia, PA – April 4, 2025, 2:30 AM PDT – The Philadelphia Eagles have bolstered their defensive front in a major way, signing veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith to a one-year, $10 million deal, league sources confirmed to ESPN early Friday. Coming off a productive nine-sack season with the Detroit Lions, Smith now joins the reigning Super Bowl LIX champions, who are reloading their pass rush following key offseason departures.

Smith, 32, became one of free agency’s top edge defenders after being released by Detroit in March, a move Lions GM Brad Holmes described as “amicable” due to salary cap pressures. Smith had been slated to make $11 million in 2025, but the Eagles swooped in with cap flexibility—holding $18.125 million at the time—to sign the proven pass-rusher at a discount.

“Za’Darius brings intensity and experience,” said Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. “He’s exactly what we need.”

Filling a Crucial Void

Philadelphia’s elite pass rush, which finished second in the NFL with 62 sacks in 2024, was hit hard this offseason. Josh Sweat signed a 4-year, $76.4 million deal with the Arizona Cardinals, and longtime veteran Brandon Graham is expected to retire. Sweat alone accounted for 10.5 total sacks, including playoffs. Smith’s 9 sacks in 2024 and 36 pressures in just 8 games with Detroit offer a seamless plug-and-play solution.

Smith will join a rotational front that includes rising sophomore Nolan Smith Jr. (6.5 sacks last year), as well as Jalyx Hunt, Azeez Ojulari, and Joshua Uche. With 60.5 career sacks, Smith’s blend of production and leadership will be key as Fangio refines his aggressive scheme.

Fan Buzz & Cap-Savvy Move

Eagles fans erupted on X following the signing.

“Smith with Nolan Smith? Our D-line’s stacked!” one post read.
“Howie’s cooking again!” another user (@EaglesNation) joked, praising GM Howie Roseman’s offseason savvy.

At 32 (and turning 33 in September), Smith isn’t a long-term piece, but his $10 million deal fits snugly under the cap and provides a short-term jolt as the Eagles chase back-to-back Super Bowls.

Smith's arrival underscores Philly’s win-now mentality. With Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and A.J. Brown powering the offense, Roseman is ensuring the defense stays elite. In a stacked NFC, Za’Darius Smith could be the X-factor that keeps the Lombardi Trophy in Philadelphia.

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Packers Cheerleader Sues a Packers Player for Harassment by Flirting with Her While Already Married
Can you believe it? A charming, dynamic cheerleader from the Green Bay Packers is "exploding" and dragging a team player to court for "unforgivable" behaviors! Abigale Licciardi – the star of the Packers Cheer Squad – has officially filed a lawsuit, and the drama behind it is stirring up NFL fans! Could this be the "biggest scandal" in Packers history? Read now to discover the "scorching" details! Abigale Licciardi, a professional cheerleader for the American football team Green Bay Packers in the NFL, is a prominent member of the Packers Cheer Squad group. She is a former student at the University of Wisconsin, where she participated in the local cheer squad and dance activities. Before that, Abigale was a dancer for NBA events and holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Marquette University. Abigale is active on social media, often sharing about games at Lambeau Field, community activities, and her role as a brand ambassador for the Packers. As part of the Packers Cheer Squad team consisting of about 47 members (combining male and female), Abigale participates in fan interactions, charity events like "Dream On 3," and performances at Packers games. She has an Instagram account (@abigalelicciardi) with posts about cheer life and a TikTok (@abigale_packers) where she shares videos about game days and dance routines. Before joining the Packers, she worked at a local event company, proving her versatility and passion. But the "nightmare" struck when Abigale got "entangled" with a Packers player! That's Mike Thornton, a backup defensive end who rarely plays for the Packers – a guy who's practically "anonymous" to fans, only playing sporadically on special teams and never a pillar. Thornton, 29 years old, has been married since 2021 to his wife, a community nurse, and they have two young children (one boy and one girl). Yet, according to Abigale's lawsuit, Thornton has been "flirting" with her recklessly, despite his happy family life! The "explosion" happened when Thornton started sending "sweet" messages to Abigale via Instagram, praising her smile and energy after performances. At first, Abigale thought it was just friendly praise from a teammate, but things quickly "crossed the line" into harassment! Thornton called her in the middle of the night – sometimes at 1-2 a.m. – to "share" about playing pressures, invite her for private dinners, and even send "suggestive" videos filmed at the gym! Abigale stated in the lawsuit: "He knows I only focus on my career and the team, but he won't stop. Those midnight calls make me anxious and stressed, severely affecting my performance!" According to insider sources, Thornton has been "stalking" Abigale since preseason, frequently "lingering" at community events she attends, and intentionally "creating situations" to approach her. Thornton's wife, upon learning, went "crazy" and threatened to break up, but the guy remains "blind"! The Packers are "shaken" by this scandal: The team management has temporarily isolated Thornton for investigation, while fans are divided – one side defends Abigale's "brave accusation," the other suspects it's a "staged script." The NFL league is also intervening, which could lead to heavy fines or removal from the roster! Abigale, with her "queen" image on TikTok and Instagram, is now becoming a "victim" of harassment – a thorny issue in the sports world! How will the court punish Thornton? And will the Packers "clean up" the team to protect their cheerleaders? Don't miss out – follow now for the next "drama" update! What do you think about this case, comment below!