Former Detroit Lions pass rusher calls it a career, retires from the NFL
Former Detroit Lions pass rusher calls it a career, retires from the NFL
A former Detroit Lions edge rusher who quickly became a fan favorite during his short stay in Detroit has officially announced his retirement from the NFL.
Veteran defender Za’Darius Smith, who joined the Lions midway through the 2024 season after being traded from the Cleveland Browns, has unexpectedly decided to hang up his cleats.
The news arrives just over a month after Smith signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, making the announcement a surprising one for many around the league.
Smith suited up in five games for Philadelphia, including the team’s Week 6 matchup against the New York Giants, recording 1.5 sacks and 10 total pressures during his brief tenure.
Although Smith made his retirement public, he didn’t offer an explanation. However, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that the decision was personal and unrelated to any conflict with the Eagles, as some had speculated.
Detroit released Smith unexpectedly during the offseason, and while there were discussions about a possible reunion—given the Lions’ obvious need for pass-rushing depth—it never materialized, with Smith ultimately signing in Philadelphia instead.
When asked why the team didn’t pursue Smith again, Lions head coach Dan Campbell gave a confident response that didn’t go over well with Smith’s girlfriend and Detroit rapper, Kash Doll, who responded online.
“Well, we’re in a good spot,” Campbell said regarding not re-signing Smith. “We’ve got (Marcus) Davenport, plenty of depth, strong interior guys, and flexibility up front. I like where we’re at. We’re ready to roll.”
“Hey coach, we’re good too,” Kash Doll shot back.
Smith was brought to Detroit to help offset the loss of Aidan Hutchinson after his season-ending injury. He tallied four sacks in eight games with the Lions but went without one in the playoffs.
The veteran defender retires with three Pro Bowl selections, one second-team All-Pro honor, and an impressive 70.5 career sacks across 11 NFL seasons.
