Three-time Pro Bowler Za’Darius Smith comes out of retirement, signs 1-year deal with Falcons

Veteran pass rusher Za’Darius Smith is ending his retirement and signing a one‑year contract with the Atlanta Falcons, the team announced on Tuesday. The deal is reported to be worth $6 million, with the potential to reach $8 million through incentives. Smith, who will turn 34 in September, had announced his retirement last October after appearing in just five games for the Philadelphia Eagles. His return provides Atlanta with an experienced edge defender capable of immediately competing for a starting role. The timing is critical for the Falcons’ pass rush. First‑round edge rusher Jalon Walker is expected to miss the entire season with an injury, and James Pearce Jr. will serve a suspension for the first eight games. Smith’s arrival helps fill those gaps. The reunion also brings Smith back under head coach Kevin Stefanski, who coached him during his two seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Although Smith had been linked to a possible return to Cleveland, he said on Monday that he had a workout scheduled with another club, which ultimately proved to be Atlanta. Smith enters his 12th NFL season with career totals of 70.5 sacks, 343 tackles, 87 tackles for loss and 10 forced fumbles. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2019 and 2020 with the Green Bay Packers and again in 2022 with the Minnesota Vikings. During his brief stint with Philadelphia last year, he logged 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks in five games before stepping away. After being released from the Eagles’ reserve/retired list in June, Smith became a free agent. He now aims to make an immediate impact for a Falcons defense that has suddenly lost two key contributors on the edge.