Za'Darius Smith joins Falcons in NFL comeback after retirement

The Atlanta Falcons have added a familiar and experienced name to their defensive front, signing three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Za'Darius Smith to a one-year contract on Tuesday.

The move gives Atlanta another proven pass rusher at a time when the team is dealing with significant losses along the defensive line. Financial details were not disclosed by the Falcons, although NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that Smith's contract is worth $6 million and could reach $8 million if he earns the available incentives.

Smith worked out for the Falcons on Monday before agreeing to the deal.


At 33, with his 34th birthday coming on Sept. 8, Smith brings a lengthy NFL résumé and a familiarity with Atlanta head coach Kevin Stefanski. The veteran defensive end previously played under Stefanski during his time with the Cleveland Browns in 2023 and 2024.

Why Atlanta moved quickly for Smith

The Falcons' need for help on the edge became more pressing after a pair of setbacks.

James Pearce Jr. is facing an eight-game NFL suspension, leaving Atlanta without one of its defensive options for a substantial portion of the season. The team also lost Jalon Walker to a season-ending knee injury on Aug. 4.

Those developments left Atlanta short on experienced players capable of consistently generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Smith's arrival gives the Falcons a veteran who has spent more than a decade playing against NFL offenses and has demonstrated an ability to produce sacks from the edge.

Rather than relying solely on younger players to fill the void, Atlanta has opted to bring in someone who already understands the demands of a full NFL season.

Za'Darius Smith comes out of retirement

Smith's return is notable because he had previously walked away from football.

The veteran announced his retirement from the NFL on Oct. 13, 2025, following a season in which he appeared in five games for the Philadelphia Eagles. He recorded 10 tackles, three quarterback hits and 1.5 sacks in those appearances, including two starts.

His decision to return came after he visited the Cleveland Browns last week. He ultimately chose Atlanta, reuniting with Stefanski in the process.

That familiarity could make the transition easier. Smith already knows Stefanski's coaching approach from their two seasons together in Cleveland, potentially giving the Falcons a player who can adapt quickly as the regular season approaches.

A proven pass rusher

Although Smith's most recent season was limited, his career numbers underline why Atlanta was interested.

Smith has recorded 70.5 sacks, 343 tackles, 10 forced fumbles and 16 passes defensed across 145 regular-season games, including 98 starts.

His NFL career began with the Baltimore Ravens, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2015 draft out of Kentucky. He spent four seasons in Baltimore before moving to the Green Bay Packers.

It was with Green Bay that Smith produced the most dominant stretch of his career.

Smith's best years came in Green Bay

Smith broke out as one of the league's most productive pass rushers during his time with the Packers.

He posted a career-best 13.5 sacks in 2019, then followed that performance with another 12.5 sacks in 2020. Those back-to-back seasons established him as one of the NFL's premier edge defenders and helped earn him Pro Bowl recognition.

His career later took him to the Minnesota Vikings in 2022 before he joined Cleveland in 2023.

Smith remained with the Browns into 2024, then also played for the Detroit Lions that year before finishing the 2025 season with Philadelphia.

His journey through several defensive systems has given him considerable experience adjusting to different schemes and coaching staffs.

What Smith could bring to the Falcons

Atlanta will not necessarily need Smith to recreate the numbers he produced during his peak seasons in Green Bay. His immediate value could instead come from adding depth, experience and another legitimate threat off the edge.

The Falcons have already lost Walker for the season and will be without Pearce for the opening eight games because of his suspension. That creates a situation in which defensive coordinator and coaching staff will need contributions from multiple players.

Smith's ability to rush the passer could help ease some of that pressure.

His presence also gives Atlanta another experienced player who has faced a wide range of offensive schemes and quarterbacks. Even if his workload is carefully managed, the veteran could provide an important rotational option.

Falcons add experience at a critical time

The signing represents a relatively low-risk opportunity for Atlanta to add an established defensive player. The reported $6 million base value, with incentives capable of pushing the deal to $8 million, gives Smith a chance to earn more while allowing the Falcons to invest in a player who has already demonstrated high-end production during his career.

For Smith, meanwhile, the contract marks a return to the NFL after announcing his retirement less than a year ago.

His reunion with Stefanski adds another layer to the move. Having previously worked together in Cleveland, the coach and veteran defensive end already know one another's expectations.

Now, Smith will try to translate that familiarity into production for an Atlanta defense that suddenly needs help.

The Falcons are betting that a three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher still has enough left to make an impact. With major losses already reshaping their defensive front, Za'Darius Smith's comeback could quickly become one of the more intriguing storylines surrounding Atlanta heading into the new NFL season.