3 hours ago
9
The Philadelphia Eagles were dealt another blow to their roster on Monday when defensive end Za'Darius Smith abruptly announced his retirement.
Smith, 33, signed a one-year, $9million deal with the Super Bowl champions on September 5, one day after the Eagles kick started their season.
Yet, just over one month later, the three-time Pro Bowler has made the shock decision to hang up his cleats.
Smith confirmed his decision in an emotional statement on social media, telling fans: 'I knew this day would come - but now that it's here, l'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!'
Smith, who suited up for the East Mississippi Lions and Kentucky Wildcats in college, went on to hail the game for transforming his life.
NFL defensive end Za'Darius Smith abruptly announced his retirement on Monday
The decision came just over a month after he signed a one-year deal with the Eagles
'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,' he added. 'Football has transformed my life and my family's lives forever - and for that, l'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.
'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.'
After splitting last season between the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions, Smith signed a short-term deal with the Eagles at the beginning of their Super Bowl defense.
In five games for Philadelphia, Smith registered 1.5 sacks and three solo tackles, making two starts.
His two starts came in the Eagles' Week 4 and 5 matchups, which saw them clinch a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before falling to the Denver Broncos.
The three-time Pro Bowler enjoyed stints with five teams before joining the Eagles last month
However, Smith only played a season-low 17 snaps in Philadelphia's shock defeat to the New York Giants last Thursday.
His limited role in the upset came just days after defensive coordinator Vic Fangio had praised Smith for his improvement.
'Yeah, obviously the game's not too big for him,' Fangio said in a press conference. 'He's been out there a lot in his career. [He] made a critical sack last week, which pushed [Denver] out of field goal range. I think he's getting better and better every week.'
Smith's retirement further depletes an already thin Eagles defense. Philadelphia is already without Nolan Smith due to injury, leaving Joshua Uche, Jalyx Hunt, Patrick Johnson, and Azeez Ojulari as the edge rushing options.
The outgoing Smith and Johnson are the only edge rushers who have finished with a sack this season.
Smith was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft, spending four seasons in Charm City.
He went on to enjoy a three-year stint with the Green Bay Packers, before a brief spell with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022.
