Za’Darius Smith surprisingly announces retirement
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Za'Darius Smith looks on during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
The Eagles’ edge rusher room is now even thinner.
Za’Darius Smith signed with the Eagles after Week 1 to a one-year, $4.25 million contract, and he played just five games with the team before announcing his retirement on Instagram Monday morning.
The 33-year-old led the Eagles’ edge rusher group with 1.5 sacks. He recorded three quarterback hits and two tackles for loss.
Here is the full post from Smith:
Smith was the oldest player on the Eagles’ defense. He had a good track record in the NFL and had 9 sacks in 2024 with the Browns and Lions. He finishes his career with 70.5 sacks, 176 QB hits, and 87 tackles for loss in 145 games for the Ravens, Packers, Vikings, Browns, Lions, and Eagles.
After playing 114 snaps with two starts through the initial four games, his snap count dropped against the Giants to just 17 snaps after he played significantly more the previous two weeks.
When Smith joined the Eagles, he said he had not even thought about retirement.
“Nah, I was playing for sure,” Smith said. “I’m not hanging it up yet. I see where you was going with that. But nah, man, I got a lot more left in the tank. I started my senior year in high school so it’s like I’m still young in the game. I got a lot more left. Don’t put that on me.”
How quickly things can change.
The only other edge rusher on the Eagles’ roster right now with a sack is Patrick Johnson, who picked up the first in his career against the Giants in Week 6. This was already a position of want; now it is a need ahead of the NFL’s Nov. 4 trade deadline.
Benjamin Goldstein
Benjamin has been covering Philly Sports for Philly Sports Reports since 2017. He is a podcaster, writer, and founder of Philly Sports Reports. Benjamin is also an intern at the WBCB Sports Network on 1490AM. Through Philly Sports Reports, Benjamin has gotten the opportunity to meet Phillies owner John Middleton in his suite and be honored as the Philadelphia sports fan of the week for KYW News Radio. He hopes to be reporting on Philly sports as a full-time job in the future.
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