Many Detroit Lions fans were eager to see Za’Darius Smith return to the team this season after his strong showing during the latter half of the 2024 campaign. However, Smith didn’t re-sign with Detroit and instead joined the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year deal ahead of Week 1.

After appearing in only five games for Philadelphia, Smith has decided to hang up his cleats. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported Monday that the veteran pass rusher has officially announced his retirement from football.

Smith’s move to Philadelphia initially made perfect sense, as the Eagles were in dire need of a seasoned edge presence to bolster their defensive front. However, the union didn’t last long — just over a month after signing with the defending champions, Smith chose to walk away from the game entirely.

Smith Retires After Week 6, Leaving the Eagles Scrambling

The 33-year-old was signed to boost an Eagles pass rush that failed to produce a sack in Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys. Smith made an instant impact in the following matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs, recording a half-sack in just 20 defensive snaps.

He went sackless in the next two games but bounced back in Week 5 versus the Denver Broncos, notching a sack across 34 snaps. However, his workload dropped sharply in Week 6 against the New York Giants, where he logged only 17 snaps — a surprising decision considering Philadelphia’s struggles to generate pressure.

Smith’s retirement couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Eagles, who are already without Nolan Smith Jr. and Ogbo Okoronkwo due to injuries. The team has struggled mightily to disrupt opposing quarterbacks, ranking 25th in the NFL with just nine sacks. Losing Smith now makes that challenge even tougher.

After losing several key rushers from last year’s roster, the front office brought in players like Smith, Josh Uche, and Azeez Ojulari on one-year contracts, hoping they would provide a spark.

That plan hasn’t worked out. Unlike the Lions, who have Aidan Hutchinson and Al-Quadin Muhammad anchoring the edges, Philadelphia currently lacks proven options. The Lions’ depth may not be elite, but at least they’re getting steady production from their top defenders.

Without Smith, the Eagles could be forced to explore trade options soon — a less-than-ideal scenario. Other teams will have leverage and could exploit Philadelphia’s desperation, knowing Smith has retired and their other short-term signings have underperformed.

As for Detroit and its fans, they’ll likely wish Smith well in retirement, remembering how he contributed late last season and how quickly he became a fan favorite during his brief stint with the team.