Za’Darius Smith, the veteran edge rusher for the Philadelphia Eagles, has officially announced his retirement from the NFL after an 11-year career marked by impressive production and perseverance. Smith shared the news on social media Monday morning, reflecting on a journey that began in Greenville, Alabama, with just one year of high school football experience.
“I knew this day would come — but now that it’s here, I’m feeling so many emotions I never expected,” Smith wrote on Instagram. “Who would’ve thought that a kid from Greenville, AL, with just one year of high school football experience, would go on to play professional football in the NFL for 11 incredible years!”
The 33-year-old joined the Eagles just before the start of the season, signing a one-year deal worth $9 million. In five games, Smith recorded 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks, contributing as a rotational veteran on a team in need of pass-rushing depth.
Smith’s NFL journey began when he was drafted in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens after transferring from community college to the University of Kentucky. He spent four seasons in Baltimore before signing with the Green Bay Packers, where he enjoyed the peak of his career. In his first two seasons with the Packers, Smith totaled 26 sacks, earned Second-team All-Pro honors in 2020, and made consecutive Pro Bowls in 2019 and 2020.
Injuries impacted his career along the way, including a back injury that sidelined him for most of the 2021 season. Smith then signed with the Minnesota Vikings for the 2022 season, recording 10 sacks and earning another Pro Bowl nod. He spent a single season with the Vikings before being traded to the Cleveland Browns, and later split the 2024 season between Cleveland and the Detroit Lions.
With Smith’s retirement, the Eagles’ edge-rushing corps takes a significant hit. The remaining roster at the position includes Jalyx Hunt, Patrick Johnson, Azeez Ojulari, and Joshua Uche, who have combined for only one sack so far this season. First-round rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell has also been rotated into edge duties, and Nolan Smith, currently on injured reserve with a triceps injury, is expected to return later in the season.
Philadelphia could look to strengthen the position ahead of the trade deadline on November 4, with several veteran pass rushers potentially available.
Reflecting on his career, Smith acknowledged the profound impact football has had on his life and his family’s life. “This game has given me the opportunity to meet great coaches, compete alongside some of the best players ever, and represent some of the greatest organizations in the league,” he wrote. “Football has transformed my life and my family’s lives forever — and for that, I’m forever grateful.”
Smith concludes his career with 70.5 sacks, 176 quarterback hits, and 87 tackles for loss over 145 games, including 98 starts. His legacy is that of a determined pass rusher who rose from modest beginnings to become a respected leader and consistent playmaker across multiple teams in the league.
The Eagles now face the challenge of replacing a veteran presence in a pass rush that has struggled through the early part of the season, while also preparing to integrate younger players like Uche, Ojulari, Hunt, and Campbell into larger roles moving forward.
Za’Darius Smith’s departure marks the end of a remarkable journey from a late-starting high school player to a multi-time Pro Bowler and respected NFL veteran. As he steps away from the field, the league bids farewell to a player whose energy, determination, and passion for the game were evident every time he lined up on the edge.
