Many Detroit Lions fans were hoping to see Za’Darius Smith back with the club this season after what he showed on the field during the second half of the 2024 campaign. However, Smith didn’t return to the Motor City and instead signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1.
But after only playing five games with Philly, Smith has decided to call it a career. Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported on Monday that the veteran edge rusher had announced his retirement from football.
It made sense why Smith joined the Eagles, as they desperately needed a veteran pass rusher to help their defensive line. However, that partnership clearly didn't last very long, as just over one month after initially joining the defending champions, Smith walked away from the team on his own.
Smith Announces Retirement After Week 6, Leaving Eagles in Tough Spot
The 33-year-old Smith was brought in to help the Eagles’ pass rush, which failed to register a sack in Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys. The former Lion made an immediate impact in the Eagles’ next game against the Kansas City Chiefs, as he had a half sack in 20 defensive snaps.
Smith failed to get a sack in the Eagles’ next two games, but would snap that streak in Week 5 against the Denver Broncos, where he played 34 defensive snaps. However, in Week 6 against the New York Giants, the ex-Lions defender only saw 17 defensive snaps, which was shocking, given the state of the Eagles’ pass rush.
Smith’s retirement is the last thing that the Eagles wanted to hear, as they’re already without Nolan Smith Jr. and Ogbo Okoronkwo due to injury. Philadelphia has struggled to get after the quarterback this season, as they have only nine sacks (25th in the NFL). Losing Smith now will only set them back further in that area.
After losing several pass rushers from last year's roster, the front office thought players like Smith, Josh Uche, and Azeez Ojulari, all on one-year deals, would break through and make an impact.
That hasn’t happened yet, and unlike the Lions, who have Aidan Hutchinson and Al-Quadin Muhammad leading the way on the edge, the Eagles don’t have those options at their disposal at this time. Now, the Lions' defensive end depth isn’t great either, but at least they’re getting production.
Without Smith, the Eagles will have to press to make a trade in the coming weeks, which is not a good position to be in. Selling teams will have the proverbial ball in their court and could play on the Eagles’ desperation, knowing that Smith has retired, and they aren’t getting much from Uche and Ojulari.
As for the Lions and their fans, they hope Smith has a good retirement, as they’ll remember what he did late last season and how he endeared himself to the city.