Logo

Eagles Land 3-Time Pro Bowl Pass Rusher on Team-Friendly Deal, Star Willingly Takes Pay Cut to Join Philly

Philadelphia, PA – September 6, 2025

The Philadelphia Eagles have added another weapon to their already loaded defense, signing a proven veteran pass rusher just days after the season kicked off. The move is being hailed as one of GM Howie Roseman’s smartest late additions to shore up the front seven.

The contract is structured in a way that protects the team while rewarding performance. With incentives tied to sacks, Pro Bowl honors, and postseason success, the Eagles have ensured that they only pay premium dollars if the player delivers elite production on the field.

Article image

This low-risk structure provides Philadelphia with depth, leadership, and a disruptive force off the edge without the heavy financial burden usually tied to top-tier defenders. It’s another example of the Eagles finding value where others may have overlooked it.

By league standards, the deal is considered extremely team-friendly. The one-year contract carries a base salary of just $4.25 million, with incentives that could push the total to $8.25 million if performance goals are met. For a player of his caliber, it’s a bargain.

That willingness to accept a reduced salary is what makes this signing stand out. Rather than holding out for a bigger payday elsewhere, the veteran made it clear he wanted to join Philadelphia’s defense and chase a championship run at Lincoln Financial Field.

The player in question is Za'Darius Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler who recorded nine sacks last season. Speaking on his decision, Smith said: “Money isn’t everything. I wanted to be here, in Philly, with this defense. I’ll take less if it means I get the chance to win it all.”

For Eagles fans, it’s a statement signing. Smith brings energy, experience, and a relentless motor to a defense already built to dominate. With his addition, the Eagles’ path to another Super Bowl push looks even more dangerous for the rest of the NFC.

Comments (0)

Loading comments...

Eagles Cheerleader Sues an Eagles Player for Harassment by Flirting with Her While Already Married
Can you believe it? A charming, dynamic cheerleader from the Philadelphia Eagles is "exploding" and dragging a team player to court for "unforgivable" behaviors! Abigale Licciardi – the star of the Eagles Cheer Squad – has officially filed a lawsuit, and the drama behind it is stirring up NFL fans! Could this be the "biggest scandal" in Eagles history? Read now to discover the "scorching" details! Abigale Licciardi, a professional cheerleader for the American football team Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL, is a prominent member of the Eagles Cheer Squad group. She is a former student at the University of Pennsylvania, 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 Temple University. Abigale is active on social media, often sharing about games at Lincoln Financial Field, community activities, and her role as a brand ambassador for the Eagles. As part of the Eagles 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 Eagles games. She has an Instagram account (@abigalelicciardi) with posts about cheer life and a TikTok (@abigale_eagles) where she shares videos about game days and dance routines. Before joining the Eagles, she worked at a local event company, proving her versatility and passion. But the "nightmare" struck when Abigale got "entangled" with an Eagles player! That's Mike Thornton, a backup defensive end who rarely plays for the Eagles – 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 Eagles 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 Eagles "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!