By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-18 14:27:04 | Updated at 2026-08-20 01:26:13
1 day ago
Linebacker Za'Darius Smith has joined the Atlanta Falcons - less than a year after he announced his retirement from the NFL and less than a week after he worked out for the Cleveland Browns.
The 33-year-old previously spent a decade in the NFL and joined the Philadelphia Eagles for the 2025 season on a $9million deal.
But five games later, Smith abruptly announced he was retiring, with the Eagles placing him on the reserve/retired list.
On Tuesday, however, it was confirmed that the pass rusher - a three-time Pro Bowler - is returning to professional football.
Smith worked out for the Browns last Thursday but, as reported by ESPN and NFL Network, he is signing a one-year, $6m deal with the Atlanta Falcons. He could earn up to $8m.
The Falcons are led by former Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski.
Za'Darius Smith has joined the Atlanta Falcons - less than a year after retiring from the NFL
The 33-year-old is signing a one-year deal with the Falcons that could be worth up to $8m
The linebacker, who turns 34 in September, was taken in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens.
Before joining the Eagles in 2025, he spent time with the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions and the Browns.
Smith played 25 games in Cleveland and looked set to return after working out with Todd Monken's team. But he has instead reunited with Stefanski, his coach while at the Browns in 2023 and 2024.
'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,' Smith wrote after announcing his retirement in 2025.
'Football has transformed my life and my family's lives forever - and for that, I'm forever grateful.'
The Falcons need cover at defensive end after losing Jalon Walker to a season-ending knee injury and James Pearce Jr to an eight-game suspension after his offseason arrest for an alleged incident involving then-girlfriend, WNBA star Rickea Jackson.
