Za'Darius Smith retires after 11 seasons
Philadelphia Eagles pass-rusher Za'Darius Smith is retiring from football after 11 seasons, he announced Monday on Instagram.
The 33-year-old edge rusher suited up for six NFL teams over his career.
Smith hangs up his cleats after signing a deal with the Eagles in September. He split his 2024 campaign between the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions.
"I knew this day would come, but now that it's here, I'm feeling so many emotions I never expected," Smith wrote in his farewell post.
A fourth-round pick by the Ravens in 2015, Smith spent his first four NFL seasons in Baltimore. The Kentucky product then joined the Green Bay Packers for three campaigns, earning Pro Bowl recognition in 2019 and 2020. Smith received his third Pro Bowl nod in 2022 as a member of the Minnesota Vikings.
The 33-year-old recorded 176 QB hits, 87 tackles for loss, 70.5 sacks, 16 passes defended, and 10 forced fumbles in 145 career games.