Za'Darius Smith Makes Surprise NFL Comeback Less Than 1 Year After Announcing Retirement

Ten months after announcing his retirement from the NFL, veteran pass-rusher Za'Darius Smith is making his return with the Atlanta Falcons, the team announced on Tuesday.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the deal is worth $6 million, but Smith can make up to $8 million through incentives.

Smith, who turns 34 on Sept. 8, announced his retirement on Oct. 13, 2025, after appearing in five games for the Philadelphia Eagles last season.

An 11-year NFL veteran, Smith played for the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions and Eagles from 2015 to 2025.

Originally a fourth-round draft pick out of Kentucky, Smith has recorded 70.5 sacks, 343 tackles, 87 tackles for loss and 10 forced fumbles in 145 career regular-season games.

From 2019 to 2022, Smith recorded double-digit sacks three times, earned three Pro Bowl selections and was a Second Team All-Pro on one occasion.

Smith had a nine-sack season as recently as 2024, and he was providing some solid production for the Eagles last season before his retirement, registering 1.5 sacks, 10 tackles, two tackles for loss and three quarterback hits in five games.

The Falcons' signing of Smith is likely a reaction to Jalon Walker's season-ending knee injury and the NFL announcing last week that pass-rusher James Pearce Jr. will be suspended for the first eight games of the 2026 regular season due to a violation of the league's personal-conduct policy

Selected 26th overall by the Falcons in the 2025 NFL draft, Pearce led the team with 10.5 sacks last season and finished third in NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.

Pearce's absence for about half the season leaves a huge hole in Atlanta's defense, but Smith will look to bridge the gap along with fellow free-agent signings Samson Ebukam and Azeez Ojulari.