Eagles Get Shocking News From Veteran Edge Rusher
If we are singling out one position group on the Philadelphia Eagles that could use a real boost, it’s at edge rusher, where an exodus of talent from last year’s Super Bowl winning team has yet to be filled.
Unfortunately for the Eagles, it’s now the position group that’s dealing with the most turmoil after veteran Za’Darius Smith went on Instagram to announce his sudden retirement just one month after signing a 1-year, $4.25 million contract.
Smith, 33 years old, played in 5 games with the Eagles, with 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
He had just one tackle in a Week 6 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football — Philadelphia’s second consecutive loss after a 4-0 start to the regular season.
“I knew this day would come — but now that it’s here, I’m feeling so many emotions I never expected,” Smith wrote on Monday, October 13. “Who would’ve thought that a kid from Greenville, AL, with just one year of high school football experience, would go on to play professional football in the NFL for 11 incredible years! This game has given me the opportunity to meet great coaches, compete alongside some of the best players ever, and represent some of the greatest organizations in the league. Football has transformed my life and my family’s lives forever — and for that, I’m forever grateful.
” … As I step into the newest season of my life, please know this game has meant the world to me. The lessons learned on and off the field will stay with me forever.”
Smith Gave No Indication of Major Decision
Smith’s retirement seemed to come out of the blue and comes with the Eagles‘ top returning edge rusher, Nolan Smith Jr., on injured reserve since September 25 with a torn triceps.
“Za’Darius Smith posts on his Instagram that he is ‘stepping into the next season of his life’ and is retiring from the NFL,” NBC Sports Philly’s Ashlyn Sullivan wrote on X. “I spoke to the Eagles pass rusher last week who said he was working on getting a better grasp of Fangio’s defense — mentioned no inclination of this decision.”
From SEC Star to $79 Million in Career Earnings
Smith, 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds, was an All-SEC pick at Kentucky before the Baltimore Ravens selected him in the fourth round (No. 122 overall) of the 2015 NFL draft.
Smith played 4 seasons for the Ravens and had a career high 8.5 sacks in 2018 before he signed a 4-year, $66 million contract with the Green Bay Packers in March 2019. He spent 3 seasons in Green Bay and has played for 3 different teams over the last 3 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions.
Smith missed all but one game of the 2021 season with a back injury. He responded with 24.5 sacks over the last 3 seasons, including 10.0 sacks in 2022.
He’s also made major bank in his decade in the NFL, with $79.1 million in career earnings through the end of the 2024 season.
Smith One of NFL’s Top 2025 Free Agents
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox put Smith at No. 6 on his list of the top available NFL free agents in the 2025 cycle.
“In 17 games with the Browns and Lions last season, Smith totaled nine sacks, a number he has reached in four of the last six seasons,” Knox wrote on April 29. “While Smith isn’t a No. 1 edge-rusher at this stage of his career, he can be a high-end complement for any team looking for more sack production … Smith should draw the most interest from teams that believe they can win now.”
Lakers’ LeBron James Taking Retirement Decision “Year-by-Year,” Say Analyst
LeBron James is entering his 23rd year in the NBA. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar recently opted into his $52.6 million player option.
James, 40, showed no signs of slowing down last season. In 70 regular-season games, he averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game. He shot 51.3% from the field and 37.6% from deep.
However, despite such high-level offensive production, James’ eventual retirement remains a discussion point amongst both fans and media alike. In a recent episode of “The Hoop Collective” podcast, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst noted how it would appear James is taking the retirement decision a year at a time.
“Based on my conversations, I honestly think they don’t know,” Windhorst said. “As far as I know, he’s honestly going year to year.”
James is still an elite player in the NBA. He is entering his first full season as the Lakers’ second option behind Luka Doncic. If he has another strong year, it’s hard to envision him walking away from the league. Nevertheless, James’ career is certainly in the final stages, and sooner or later, a decision to step away must be made.
Carmelo Anthony Jokingly Tells James to Retire
In a recent appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” Anthony jokingly suggested that James should consider retirement after the upcoming season.
“He’s still going, it’s unbelievable, man,” Anthony said. “That’s my brother. We talk about being around, being together, being tied, being connected, being talked about since we were 17, 18 years old. And for me to be entering the Hall of Fame, and for him, hopefully, to get his ass up out of there and come on over this side (smiles). Enough is enough. Give it a break.”
James and Anthony both entered the NBA in 2003. They both played for the Lakers together during the 2021-22 season. Unfortunately for Anthony, he and James were unable to win a championship that season, meaning the former Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks superstar ended his career without a championship.
Paul Pierce Expects Lakers’ LeBron James to Retire
Former Boston Celtics champion Paul Pierce believes this could be James’s last year in the NBA.
“If I’m a betting man, I think this will be his last season,
Paul Pierce thinks this will be LeBron James last season in the NBA 👀
“He’s been the GOAT for so long, he’s maintained the stats… I think his time is up but we appreciate what he’s done for the league.” pic.twitter.com/Lo15gqbSDE
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) September 2, 2025
James has achieved everything there is to achieve in the NBA. He also reached his personal goal of sharing the court with his son, Bronny James, last season. However, the draw of contending for a fifth NBA championship is likely keeping James in the league. After all, another championship, especially this late in his career, would further enrich his legacy as an all-time great.
With Doncic on the Lakers, James has a strong chance of reaching that final goal. Whether that happens this season will remain to be seen.
