Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Za'Darius Smith retires after five games into the 2025 NFL season
Za’Darius Smith, the 33-year-old defensive end for the six NFL teams, put a lid on his career after playing just five games for the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2025 season. The veteran announced his retirement through Instagram on Monday. “I knew this day would come—but now that it’s here, I’m feeling so many emotions I never expected. 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!” —read the Eagles pass-rusher’s retirement statement.
Za’Darius Smith’s NFL journey began with the Baltimore Ravens and concluded with the Philadelphia Eagles
The Baltimore Ravens picked Za’Darius Smith in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft as their 122nd overall pick. He spent four seasons playing for the Ravens. In 2019, the Green Bay Packers acquired him–but he only played one season for them. Then, in 2021, Smith played only one regular-season game due to a back injury that required surgery. In 2022, the Minnesota Vikings picked him. He played that one whole season for them. In 2023 and part of 2024 (nine games), Smith played for the Cleveland Browns. The defensive end played the remaining eight games for the Detroit Lions. In March 2025, the Lions released him. On September 5, he signed a one-year contract worth $9 million with the Philadelphia Eagles. Five games into the season, Za’Darius Smith announced his retirement on October 13 via Instagram.
NFL retirement announcement on Instagram
Za’Darius Smith's NFL retirement announcement on Instagram read:
“I knew this day would come — but now that it’s here, I’m feeling so many emotions I never expected. 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. This career has taken me across the world — from earning my first passport stamp to visit countries I only saw on maps, to helping me start a foundation that gives back to my community. There have been challenges along the way, but the rewards have outweighed them all and helped me learn, grow, and evolve as a man. “…For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required…” – Luke 12:48 And to the fans — the biggest thank you of all. To every fan from each organization I represented: thank you, thank you, thank you for everything! From wearing my jerseys, collecting my cards, sending letters, sharing your opinions (good and tough ones alike), and most importantly — showing love. I felt it all. 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. Love, Z.”
Fans react to Za’Darius Smith’s shocking retirement reveal
One fan noted, “Jalen Hurts getting their best pass rusher to retire mid season.” Another fan commented, “One game against Andrew Thomas and he retires.” A third said, “Ran out of NFC teams to move to.” A fourth mentioned, “What playing with Hurts as your quarterback and leader can do.” A fifth fan asked, “...in the middle of the season? Are things that difficult in Philadelphia right now?” One fan observed, “It's unlikely he would retire mid season if he believed the Eagles could win it all.” Another stated, “He's consistently moved to different teams.” A fan added, “Instagram is frequently used for NFL retirement announcements.”
Za’Darius Smith stats
Overall NFL career stats
2025 season stats
Also Read: Jalen Hurts’ views on Eagles OC Kevin Patullo resurface amid growing online outrage over 34-17 loss to Giants | NFL News - The Times of India
https://www.instagram.com/p/DPwSi1rjW0w/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://www.instagram.com/p/DPwSi1rjW0w/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Za’Darius Smith’s NFL journey began with the Baltimore Ravens and concluded with the Philadelphia Eagles
The Baltimore Ravens picked Za’Darius Smith in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft as their 122nd overall pick. He spent four seasons playing for the Ravens. In 2019, the Green Bay Packers acquired him–but he only played one season for them. Then, in 2021, Smith played only one regular-season game due to a back injury that required surgery. In 2022, the Minnesota Vikings picked him. He played that one whole season for them. In 2023 and part of 2024 (nine games), Smith played for the Cleveland Browns. The defensive end played the remaining eight games for the Detroit Lions. In March 2025, the Lions released him. On September 5, he signed a one-year contract worth $9 million with the Philadelphia Eagles. Five games into the season, Za’Darius Smith announced his retirement on October 13 via Instagram.
NFL retirement announcement on Instagram
Za’Darius Smith's NFL retirement announcement on Instagram read:
“I knew this day would come — but now that it’s here, I’m feeling so many emotions I never expected. 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. This career has taken me across the world — from earning my first passport stamp to visit countries I only saw on maps, to helping me start a foundation that gives back to my community. There have been challenges along the way, but the rewards have outweighed them all and helped me learn, grow, and evolve as a man. “…For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required…” – Luke 12:48 And to the fans — the biggest thank you of all. To every fan from each organization I represented: thank you, thank you, thank you for everything! From wearing my jerseys, collecting my cards, sending letters, sharing your opinions (good and tough ones alike), and most importantly — showing love. I felt it all. 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. Love, Z.”
Fans react to Za’Darius Smith’s shocking retirement reveal
One fan noted, “Jalen Hurts getting their best pass rusher to retire mid season.” Another fan commented, “One game against Andrew Thomas and he retires.” A third said, “Ran out of NFC teams to move to.” A fourth mentioned, “What playing with Hurts as your quarterback and leader can do.” A fifth fan asked, “...in the middle of the season? Are things that difficult in Philadelphia right now?” One fan observed, “It's unlikely he would retire mid season if he believed the Eagles could win it all.” Another stated, “He's consistently moved to different teams.” A fan added, “Instagram is frequently used for NFL retirement announcements.”
Za’Darius Smith stats
Overall NFL career stats
- Seasons played: 11
- Games played: 145
- Total tackles: 343
- Solo tackles: 223
- Assisted tackles: 120
- Sacks: 70.5
- Forced fumbles: 10
- Fumble recoveries: 2
- Passes defended: 16
- Interceptions: 0
https://www.instagram.com/p/DOO9DkwEgOQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://www.instagram.com/p/DOO9DkwEgOQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
2025 season stats
- Games played: 5
- Total tackles: 10
- Solo tackles: 3
- Assisted tackles: 7
- Sacks: 1.5
- Forced fumbles: 0
- Interceptions: 0
Also Read: Jalen Hurts’ views on Eagles OC Kevin Patullo resurface amid growing online outrage over 34-17 loss to Giants | NFL News - The Times of India
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