The Atlanta Falcons on Aug. 18 announced the signing of veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith.
Smith has experience with Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski, having played for him with the Cleveland Browns in 2023 and 2024. He now joins a squad needing reinforcements after losing two of their top young edge rushers in the offseason.
Smith posted a photo of himself signing the deal, with the caption “Year 12…,” on Instagram on Tuesday.
Details of the contract were not made available.
Smith was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens out of Kentucky in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, he had 30 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, and a pass defended. In 2016, he had just 20 tackles, a sack, a pass defense, and a forced fumble. In 2017, he totaled 24 tackles, 3.5 sacks, a batted pass, and a forced fumble. He broke out in 2018, with 45 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, 2 passes defended, and a forced fumble.
He signed with the Green Bay Packers in free agency in 2019. He had a career year in his first season there, racking up 55 tackles and 13.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. In 2020, he put up 52 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 2 passes defended, 4 forced fumbles, and 2 recoveries. In 2021, Smith’s campaign was derailed by an injury he suffered in the offseason. He played just one game and did not return until the playoffs.
Smith has lived as a mercenary since. He signed a three-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022. That year, he totaled 44 tackles, 10 sacks, a career-high 5 passes defended, and a forced fumble.
He was traded to the Browns in 2023. That season, he racked up 27 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 3 passes batted, and forced a fumble. Smith signed a contract extension in the 2024 offseason; he played in 9 games, amassing 23 tackles and 5 sacks.
He was traded to the Detroit Lions mid-season after injuries decimated their front seven. He played the final eight games of the 2024 season, with 12 total tackles, 4 sacks, and a batted pass.
Smith signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025. He played in just 5 games, racking up 10 tackles and a sack and a half before abruptly announcing his plans to retire.
Smith decided to go to Atlanta, reuniting with Stefanski. Smith is yet another free-agent addition to the Falcons’ edge rotation.
In free agency, the team signed veteran Samson Ebukam; Cameron Thomas, who was signed by the Browns in 2024 just a couple of weeks after Smith was traded; Georgia native and University of Georgia alumnus Azeez Ojulari; former Cincinnati Bengals and San Francisco 49ers veteran Cam Sample; and journeyman Keshawn Banks in free agency this offseason.
The only in-house talent on the roster who will be available for Week 1 is 2024 third-round draft pick Bralen Trice.
Much like the Lions in 2024, the Falcons need reinforcements. Jalon Walker, the 15th overall pick in the 2025 Draft and another Georgia Bulldog like Ojulari, will miss the entire 2026 season due to a torn ACL. James Pearce Jr., whom the team traded back into the first round to select 26th overall in 2025, is suspended for the first eight games of the 2026 season for violating the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy: Pearce was arrested in February in connection with a domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend.
