If we are singling out one position group on the Philadelphia Eagles that could use a real boost, it’s at edge rusher, where an exodus of talent from last year’s Super Bowl winning team has yet to be filled.
Unfortunately for the Eagles, it’s now the position group that’s dealing with the most turmoil after veteran Za’Darius Smith went on Instagram to announce his sudden retirement just one month after signing a 1-year, $4.25 million contract.
Smith, 33 years old, played in 5 games with the Eagles, with 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
He had just one tackle in a Week 6 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football — Philadelphia’s second consecutive loss after a 4-0 start to the regular season.
“I knew this day would come — but now that it’s here, I’m feeling so many emotions I never expected,” Smith wrote on Monday, October 13. “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! 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. Football has transformed my life and my family’s lives forever — and for that, I’m forever grateful.
” … As I step into the newest season of my life, please know this game has meant the world to me. The lessons learned on and off the field will stay with me forever.”
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Smith Gave No Indication of Major Decision
Smith’s retirement seemed to come out of the blue and comes with the Eagles‘ top returning edge rusher, Nolan Smith Jr., on injured reserve since September 25 with a torn triceps.
“Za’Darius Smith posts on his Instagram that he is ‘stepping into the next season of his life’ and is retiring from the NFL,” NBC Sports Philly’s Ashlyn Sullivan wrote on X. “I spoke to the Eagles pass rusher last week who said he was working on getting a better grasp of Fangio’s defense — mentioned no inclination of this decision.”
From SEC Star to $79 Million in Career Earnings
Smith, 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds, was an All-SEC pick at Kentucky before the Baltimore Ravens selected him in the fourth round (No. 122 overall) of the 2015 NFL draft.
Smith played 4 seasons for the Ravens and had a career high 8.5 sacks in 2018 before he signed a 4-year, $66 million contract with the Green Bay Packers in March 2019. He spent 3 seasons in Green Bay and has played for 3 different teams over the last 3 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions.
Smith missed all but one game of the 2021 season with a back injury. He responded with 24.5 sacks over the last 3 seasons, including 10.0 sacks in 2022.
He’s also made major bank in his decade in the NFL, with $79.1 million in career earnings through the end of the 2024 season.
Smith One of NFL’s Top 2025 Free Agents
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox put Smith at No. 6 on his list of the top available NFL free agents in the 2025 cycle.
“In 17 games with the Browns and Lions last season, Smith totaled nine sacks, a number he has reached in four of the last six seasons,” Knox wrote on April 29. “While Smith isn’t a No. 1 edge-rusher at this stage of his career, he can be a high-end complement for any team looking for more sack production … Smith should draw the most interest from teams that believe they can win now.”
Eagles Get Shocking News From Veteran Edge Rusher