Za’Darius Announces Retirement

On the heels of dropping their second game in less than a week, the Eagles experienced another sudden turn of events late Monday morning.

Veteran pass rusher Za’Darius Smith, signed ahead of the team’s Week 2 matchup in Kansas City, announced his retirement on Instagram.

#Eagles edge rusher Za’Darius Smith announced his retirement on his Instagram: pic.twitter.com/BJP1qBmal0

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) October 13, 2025

“I was playing,” Smith said upon signing a little over a month ago. “For sure. I’m not hanging it up yet. I got a lot more left in the tank. I’ve played football – I started my senior year of high school – so, it’s like I’m still young in the game.”

Eagles EDGE Za’Darius Smith shockingly announced his retirement Monday after just a few weeks with the Eagles, and playing well.

Smith, who was without a team through the summer and start of the season, had other suitors but opted to sign with the Eagles after hearing feedback on the organization and its impeccable culture. The prospects of reuniting with close friend and former teammate Ogbo Okoronkwo also factored into his decision.

The 33-year-old provided a jolt to a youth-infused Eagles pass rush, logging 131 snaps and accounting for 38 percent of the defensive total. He led the team in sacks at his position (1.5) and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio lauded his play recently, going as far as saying that Smith in Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, “played his best game since he had been here, which is expected.”

Smith, who also served as a positive veteran influence on some of the younger players in his room, certainly didn’t show any signs of slowing down. While his sample size with the Eagles was limited (five games, two starts), the 11-year veteran was the team’s most impactful pass rusher, compiling 1.5 sacks, three quarterback hits and two tackles for loss.

With his surprising announcement, Smith leaves the game on his own terms.

In light of Smith’s absence, the remaining healthy edge rushers on the Eagles’ 53-man roster include Jalyx Hunt, Josh Uche, Azeez Ojulari and Patrick Johnson. Of that group, only Johnson (1.0) has registered a sack.

Nolan Smith, placed on injured reserve on Sept. 24, is expected to return sometime in November.

Rookie Antwuan Powell-Ryland, drafted by the Eagles in the sixth-round, is on the practice squad.

The need to fortify its pass rush contigent was already nearing urgency prior to Smith’s announcement. Now, a reinforcement becomes imperative.

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com