OUTZa'Darius Smith
EDR/DE FA
Mon 10/13/25 12:53 PM

Smith announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday, Eliot Shorr-Parks of Sports Radio 94 WIP Philadelphia reports.
EDGE Analysis
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, Azeez Ojulari is likely to play a larger role on Philadelphia's defense moving forward.

OUTZa'Darius Smith
EDR/DE FA
Fri 9/5/25 5:21 PM

The Eagles signed Smith on Friday.
EDGE Analysis
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.

OUTZa'Darius Smith
EDR/DE FA
Sun 3/9/25 2:51 PM

The Lions are releasing Smith, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
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 for the Lions after being traded from the Browns last season, logging 4.0 sacks over the final eight games of the 2024 campaign. Smith totaled 9.0 sacks over 17 regular-season games last year, and he should get plenty of attention this offseason from teams in need of pass-rushing help. Meanwhile, the Lions likely will 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.

OUTZa'Darius Smith
EDR/DE FA
Thu 1/30/25 5:53 PM

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

OUTZa'Darius Smith
EDR/DE FA
Mon 12/9/24 8:53 PM

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

OUTZa'Darius Smith
EDR/DE FA
Wed 11/13/24 5:09 PM

Smith (personal) was not listed on Wednesday's injury report.
EDGE Analysis
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.

OUTZa'Darius Smith
EDR/DE FA
Sun 11/10/24 6:55 PM

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

OUTZa'Darius Smith
EDR/DE FA
Sun 11/10/24 2:14 AM1 Comment

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.
EDGE Analysis
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.

OUTZa'Darius Smith
EDR/DE FA
Fri 11/8/24 3:52 PM

Smith (personal) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Texans.
EDGE Analysis
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 suit up, Smith could play strictly on passing downs, allowing him to rush the passer.

OUTZa'Darius Smith
EDR/DE FA
Tue 11/5/24 9:21 AM

The Lions acquired Smith and a 2026 seventh-round draft pick from the Browns on Tuesday in exchange for 2025 fifth-round draft pick and a 2026 sixth-round draft pick, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
EDGE Analysis
Detroit was in the market for pass-rushing help after defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (tibia/fibula) suffered a likely season-ending injury Week 6, and the addition of Smith fills that need. Through his nine games with Cleveland, Smith had notched five sacks among his 23 tackles and had generated a 19.1 percent win rate on his pass rushes, placing him 12th among edge rushers with at least 60 attempts, per Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. Smith should be ready to make his Lions debut this Sunday against the Texans.