Former 2x Pro Bowler has made a shocking decision to retire mid-season
Prior to the 2019 NFL season, the Green Bay Packers made some drastic changes to their roster on the defensive side of the ball. Not only did they use their two first round picks that year on defensive players (Darnell Savage and Rashan Gary), but they also signed three of the biggest names on the free agent market to bolster their defense.
These players were safety Adrian Amos and pass rushers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith. All three had terrific tenures with Green Bay, though each of them eventually moved on to different teams.
The first to do so was Za’Darius, who, after making two Pro Bowls in his first two seasons with the Packers, had a massive falling out with the organization and ended up being released before his contract ran its course.
Former Green Bay Packers Pro Bowler Za’Darius Smith has retired from the NFL
Packers24 39 Hoffman
In his first season with the Packers, Smith had 13.5 sacks and made his first career Pro Bowl. In 2020, he had 12.5 sacks, made the Pro Bowl again, and was named Second Team All-Pro.
But in 2021, his third season with Green Bay, Smith came down with a mysterious back ailment and spent most of the year away from the team. And while he did return at the end of the year and played in their postseason game, it was clear that Smith and the Packers were on their way to a messy divorce.
And when Green Bay released him following the season, he made no secret that he held a grudge against the Packers. He signed with their hated rival, the Minnesota Vikings, for the 2022 season in order to get some sort of revenge against them. Smith had a decent season for Minnesota, notching 10.0 sacks and making his third Pro Bowl.
But since that year, Smith has had trouble sticking with any team. After one full season with Cleveland in 2023, he was traded midway through the 2024 season to the Detroit Lions.
And after the Lions opted not to bring him back in 2025, Smith remained a free agent until after the season started before signing with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Smith played five games and recorded 1.5 sacks for the defending Super Bowl champions this season, but has decided that enough is enough and has called it a career:
Smith ends his career with 70.5 sacks and 343 total tackles.
Packers’ 2x Pro Bowler Shocks NFL with Sudden Mid-Season Retirement
Prior to the 2019 NFL season, the Green Bay Packers made some drastic changes to their roster on the defensive side of the ball. Not only did they use their two first round picks that year on defensive players (Darnell Savage and Rashan Gary), but they also signed three of the biggest names on the free agent market to bolster their defense.
These players were safety Adrian Amos and pass rushers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith. All three had terrific tenures with Green Bay, though each of them eventually moved on to different teams.
The first to do so was Za’Darius, who, after making two Pro Bowls in his first two seasons with the Packers, had a massive falling out with the organization and ended up being released before his contract ran its course.
Former Green Bay Packers Pro Bowler Za’Darius Smith has retired from the NFL
Packers24 39 Hoffman
In his first season with the Packers, Smith had 13.5 sacks and made his first career Pro Bowl. In 2020, he had 12.5 sacks, made the Pro Bowl again, and was named Second Team All-Pro.
But in 2021, his third season with Green Bay, Smith came down with a mysterious back ailment and spent most of the year away from the team. And while he did return at the end of the year and played in their postseason game, it was clear that Smith and the Packers were on their way to a messy divorce.
And when Green Bay released him following the season, he made no secret that he held a grudge against the Packers. He signed with their hated rival, the Minnesota Vikings, for the 2022 season in order to get some sort of revenge against them. Smith had a decent season for Minnesota, notching 10.0 sacks and making his third Pro Bowl.
But since that year, Smith has had trouble sticking with any team. After one full season with Cleveland in 2023, he was traded midway through the 2024 season to the Detroit Lions.
And after the Lions opted not to bring him back in 2025, Smith remained a free agent until after the season started before signing with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Smith played five games and recorded 1.5 sacks for the defending Super Bowl champions this season, but has decided that enough is enough and has called it a career:
Smith ends his career with 70.5 sacks and 343 total tackles.
