Za’Darius Smith reveals heartbreaking reason why he retired abruptly in 2025

Za’Darius Smith shocked many in the football world when he announced his retirement last year. Now he’s opening up about his reasoning. In a recent news conference, Smith said that the reason he chose to retire during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles last season was because of his family.

Per Smith, he received a call from his mother’s doctors saying that she didn’t have much longer to live, and he opted to retire from the Eagles. His mother passed away last October following his retirement, as well as his father and grandfather.

“I was in a dark place,” Smith recalls.

After entertaining a return to the Cleveland Browns, he ultimately decided to sign with the Atlanta Falcons following James Pearce Jr.’s suspension and Jalon Walker’s season-ending ACL injury. Smith details the fit as perfect for several reasons, but specifically for one sentimental reason.

“My mom — rest her soul, man — she always wanted me to be in Atlanta with the Falcons.”

Selected 122nd overall by the Baltimore Ravens in 2015, Smith has carved out a career as one of the league’s premier defenders. He’s compiled 343 total tackles, 70.5 sacks, 16 pass deflections, 10 forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries over that span.

Last week, during a media availability, Kevin Stefanski spoke about reuniting with Smith.

“Za’Darius brings physicality, obviously. He’s somebody that I’ve been with, so I have a comfort level with Za’Darius the person. Za’Darius the player certainly brings an element of a veteran pass rusher, but a guy who can play on all downs.”

He added, “I think we were together ’23, ’24. Then [they] traded him, in the middle maybe of ’24. But yeah, big personality, huge personality. You’re gonna hear him before you see him. But heavy hands, good against the run, was an excellent teammate for us.”

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