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Za’Darius Smith returns to the NFL after retiring while on the Eagles last year
Some former Eagles news
byBrandon Lee Gowton
Aug 18, 2026, 1:31 PM UTC
Here’s a curious thing: Za’Darius Smith is returning to the NFL to sign a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons, according to an official team announcement
Smith, who turns 34 next month, previously retired from football after spending five games with the Philadelphia Eagles last season
The Eagles originally placed Smith on the reserve/retired list, which allowed them to retain his contractual rights. But then they cut him from that designation earlier this year in a move that suggested he had interest in playing again
After some flirtation with a return to Cleveland, Smith is now reunited with his former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski in Atlanta. The Falcons are in need of some more edge rush help in the aftermath of the James Pearce Jr. suspension
The Eagles do not play the Falcons in the regular season this year but it’s possible they’ll meet in the playoffs. (Not that I’m feeling particularly good about Atlanta’s postseason chances.)
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- Philadelphia Eagles News
