The Eagles were unable to sign a big-name elite pass rusher, but may well have found the most productive free agent at the position. Former Falcons pass rusher Arnold Ebiketie joins our list of targeted free agents and will sign a one-year contract with the Eagles worth up to $7.3 million, including $4.3 million fully guaranteed. As the media reacts to the news, we’re following the immediate analysis of Arnold Ebiketie joining the Eagles on a one-year deal worth up to $7.3 million and adding an athletic situational pass rusher.
The Eagles have three athletes
Ebiketi joins the ranks of Nolan Smith, Jarix Hunter and other athletic hybrid pass rushers who can get after opposing quarterbacks. A solid run defender and explosive rusher, Smith missed seven games in 2025 and recorded 31 tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble, 33 quarterback pressures, 24 quarterback hurries, and a 67.7 PFF grade in 12 games. As it stands, the fifth-year option for 2027 is $14 million. Hunter became the first Eagle to lead sacks (6.5) and sacks (three) in the same season. He is the second Eagle to have 6.0+ sacks and 3.0+ INTs in a season, joining Seth Joyner (1991-92). While Hunter is a good pass rusher, there’s no guarantee he’ll be an All-Pro, and Nolan Smith’s injury history is concerning.
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He is improving year by year
The Falcons selected Arnold Ebiketie with the 38th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound pass-rushing linebacker recorded 16.5 sacks over the past four years in Atlanta. He played in 67 games, starting only 12 of them. He started just two games in 2024 but still finished with six sacks, 12 quarterback hits and 64 tackles, 26 of which were solo.
Despite his limited rushing numbers, Ebiketi’s 74.9 overall grade ranked 28th among 115 rushers in the NFL, while his 73.4 pass-rushing grade ranked 30th in the NFL.
pass rate
Among Atlanta’s backfield position groups, Ebiketi ranks 10th in the league in quarterback pressure rate (16.4%) among players with at least 150 pass-rushing snaps, according to Next Gen Stats, and he leads the Falcons’ pass rushers, according to ESPN. In 2025, Ebiketi lost out to draft picks Jalon Walker, James Pierce Jr. and veteran Leonard Floyd. The Falcons racked up a franchise record 57 sacks last season, and Ebiketi still holds a spot.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles add athletic pass rusher Arnold Ebiketie: Instant analysis
