ZA'DARIUS SMITH NEWS

Eagles face Giants again, looking to get even for Week 6 loss

The New York Giants are set to face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday

OCTOBER 23 • Associated Press

Eagles' Za'Darius Smith retirement sparks on return of retired two-time Super Bowl champ Za'Darius Smith's abrupt retirement stunned the Eagles and opened the door to a familiar face returning to Philadelphia. Smith, who signed a...

OCTOBER 19 • THEBIGLEAD.COM

Brandon Graham Closing In on Return to Eagles After Offseason Retirement

The Eagles are in need of help in their pass rush and could get some help from a familiar face: Brandon Graham.

OCTOBER 19 • FOX SPORTS

2025 NFL Week 7 Buzz: Josh Jacobs Listed As True Game-Time Decision

We're tracking the latest on what's happening around the NFL heading into Week 7 of the 2025 season.

OCTOBER 19 • FOX SPORTS

6 Za'Darius Smith replacements from teams that are already finished Six trade targets the Eagles could pursue to replace Za’Darius Smith, including options from the Dolphins, Jets, Titans, Saints, and Browns.

OCTOBER 14 • FANSIDED.COM

Za'Darius Smith announces his retirement from the NFL The outside linebacker shared it’s the end of his 11-year NFL career on Instagram.

OCTOBER 14 • PHILADELPHIAEAGLES.COM

Former Ravens pass rusher Za'Darius Smith abruptly retires Za’Darius Smith abruptly announced his retirement Monday, five games into his eighth NFL season and first with the Philadelphia Eagles.

OCTOBER 13 • BALTIMORESUN.COM

Hangs up cleats Smith announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday, Eliot Shorr-Parks of Sports Radio 94 WIP Philadelphia reports.

Impact The 33-year-old edge rusher from Kentucky signed with the Eagles in early September and tallied 10 total tackles, including 1.5 sacks, over the team's last five games. However, he's since decided to call it a career. Smith, an 11-year NFL veteran, spent time with the Ravens, Packers, Vikings, Browns, Lions and Eagles throughout his career, recording 70.5 sacks and 11 forced fumbles over 145 regular-season appearances. He made three Pro Bowls from 2019 to 2022 and received second-team All-Pro honors in 2020 with the Packers. With Smith retiring Monday, Aziz Ojulari is likely to play a larger role on Philadelphia's defense moving forward.

OCTOBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Signs with Philly The Eagles signed Smith on Friday.

Impact Smith was released by the Lions back in March and spent the summer working out on his own. Turning 33 years old next week, Smith appeared in 17 regular-season games (16 starts) with the Browns and Lions last season, finishing with 35 tackles (22 solo), including 9.0 sacks. He gives the Eagles an experienced pass rusher off the edge.

SEPTEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Za'Darius Smith: 'Hopefully,' I'm back with the Detroit Lions

Free agent pass rusher Za'Darius Smith expressed that he hopes to return to the Detroit Lions next season.

JUNE 11 • FOX SPORTS

Za'Darius Smith Attending Pistons Game Sparks Hope for Lions Fans Za’Darius Smith attending Detroit Pistons game gives Detroit Lions fans hope.

APRIL 12 • SACBEE.COM

Lions add run-stuffing DT Roy Lopez with $4.65 million, one-year agreement, AP source says

The Detroit Lions and defensive tackle Roy Lopez have agreed to a $4.65 million, one-year contract, according to a person familiar with the deal

MARCH 12 • Associated Press

Expected to be released The Lions are releasing Smith, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Smith was entering the second of a two-year, $23 million contract and would have been a $5.75 million cap hit for Detroit in 2025. The 33-year-old provided much-needed production off the edge after he was traded from the Browns to the Lions midway through last season, logging 4.0 sacks over the final eight games of the regular season. Smith totaled 9.0 sacks over 17 regular-season games in 2024, and he should get plenty of attention this offseason from teams in need of pass-rushing help. Meanwhile, the Lions will likely look to the Draft or free agency to find a new edge defender to play opposite Aidan Hutchinson, who is coming off a season-ending leg injury.

MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE

Finishes 2024 with 9.0 sacks Smith logged 35 tackles (22 solo), including 9.0 sacks, and one pass defense across 17 regular-season games in 2024.

Impact Smith was in Cleveland for the first half of the 2024 regular season, but he was traded along with a 2026 seventh-round pick to Detroit in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick. Smith's production with the Lions mirrored his output with the Browns, and he gave Detroit much needed depth at defensive end following the loss of Aidan Hutchinson (leg). Smith will be under the final year of his two-year contract in 2025 and will form a formidable pass-rushing duo with Hutchinson once the latter is fully healthy.

JANUARY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Q&A: Za'Darius Smith Hoping Third Time Is Charm in Quest for Ring Za'Darius Smith spoke to Lions OnSI to discuss his playoff journey.

JANUARY 16 • SI.COM

Packers vs. Vikings: Storied NFC North rivalry by the numbers

Here's the Packers and Vikings' historic NFC North rivalry by the numbers ahead of their 129th all-time matchup this weekend.

DECEMBER 27, 2024 • FOX SPORTS

Which NFL players stand to earn over $100K (or over $1M) these final weeks?

The end of the NFL season is near, pushing the deadline for several top players to potentially earn up to millions in performance bonuses.

DECEMBER 27, 2024 • FOX SPORTS

Sacks Love in Week 14 Smith tallied two solo tackles, including 1.0 sacks, in Detroit's 34-31 win over Green Bay in Week 14.

Impact Smith sacked Jordan Love for a seven-yard loss midway through the first quarter. Smith has logged 3.0 sacks in the four regular-season games since being acquired by the Lions in a trade with the Browns in early November, and he's up to 8.0 sacks on the season through 13 regular-season games. He'll have his work cut out for him to add to that total against Josh Allen and the Bills in Week 15.

DECEMBER 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Practices in full Wednesday Smith (personal) was not listed on Wednesday's injury report.

Impact Smith was held out of this past Sunday's game against Houston after being traded from Cleveland to Detroit on Nov. 5, but he will be good to go against Jacksonville on Sunday, Nov. 17. Through the first nine regular-season games with the Browns, Smith logged 23 tackles (15 solo), including 5.0 sacks.

NOVEMBER 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Inactive Sunday Smith (personal) is inactive for Sunday night's contest against the Texans.

Impact Smith will be unavailable in Week 10, as expected, after he was traded from the Browns to the Lions on Tuesday. The 32-year-old will now shift his focus to being ready to go for Week 11 versus the Jaguars on Nov. 17.

NOVEMBER 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not expected to play Sunday Smith (personal), who is officially questionable for Sunday's Week 10 matchup against Houston, isn't likely to suit up, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Smith was dealt from Cleveland to Detroit on Tuesday, and Rapoport suggests that the edge rusher is "not quite ready" to make his Lions debut. Since he's not dealing with an injury, it seems likely that Smith will be able to participate in Detroit's following game, which will take place Sunday, Nov. 17 against Jacksonville. With Smith expected to be absent against the Texans, Josh Paschal and James Houston should continue to be called upon to rush the passer.

NOVEMBER 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Detroit debut Smith (personal) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Texans.

Impact Smith was just acquired from the Browns at the trade deadline Tuesday, so it's fair to wonder if he's up to speed with the defense. If cleared to play, Smith could play on strict passing downs, allowing him to rush the passer.

NOVEMBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Lions acquire DE Za’Darius Smith from Browns to bolster pass rush

The Lions boosted their defense before the trade deadline, making a deal with Cleveland for veteran defensive end Za’Darius Smith.

NOVEMBER 5, 2024 • FOX SPORTS