Za’Darius Smith: Retirement, Contract, Retirement Reason and Kash Doll

Za’Darius Smith has been one of the NFL’s most experienced pass rushers of the past decade, but his career took an unexpected turn in 2025. After signing with the Philadelphia Eagles, Smith abruptly announced his retirement only five games into the season.

The veteran defensive end has since returned to the NFL. In August 2026, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons, making his retirement a temporary chapter rather than the end of his playing career.

Smith’s retirement was not caused by a lack of football opportunities. Instead, a devastating family situation forced him to make a decision that changed his plans. His recent comments have also provided a clearer explanation of what happened during one of the most difficult periods of his life.

At the same time, Smith’s personal life has attracted attention because of his former relationship with rapper Kash Doll.

Za’Darius Smith retirement: Why did he retire?

Za’Darius Smith initially retired from the NFL on October 13, 2025, after playing only five games for the Philadelphia Eagles.

At the time, his decision surprised the Eagles and NFL fans. Smith had signed with Philadelphia during the 2025 offseason and was expected to contribute as an experienced edge rusher.

However, Smith later revealed that his retirement was connected to his mother’s serious illness.

During an emotional press conference in August 2026, Smith explained that he received a phone call from his mother’s doctor telling him that she did not have much time left. He informed the Eagles and ultimately chose to leave football so he could be with his mother.

“I wasn’t supposed to retire,” Smith explained, making clear that retirement was not part of his original plan.

His mother later died. Smith also suffered the deaths of his grandmother and father during the following months, leaving him in what he described as a very dark period.

Was Za’Darius Smith’s retirement because of injury?

No. Smith’s 2025 retirement was not primarily an injury-related decision.

He had played five games for the Eagles and recorded 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two tackles for loss and three quarterback hits before stepping away.

The main reason was his mother’s declining health and his desire to spend time with her.

Za’Darius Smith came out of retirement in 2026

Smith’s NFL retirement did not last permanently.

After spending several months away from football, the veteran pass rusher returned to the league in August 2026. The Atlanta Falcons signed him to a one-year contract.

The deal was reported to be worth $6 million, with incentives that could raise its value to $8 million.

His return reunites Smith with Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski, who previously coached him with the Cleveland Browns.

The Falcons needed additional help on the edge after losing Jalon Walker for the season and dealing with James Pearce Jr.’s suspension. Smith therefore arrived at a particularly important time for Atlanta’s defense.

Za’Darius Smith contract history

Smith has earned substantial money throughout his NFL career.

He entered the league in 2015 after the Baltimore Ravens selected him in the fourth round of the NFL Draft out of Kentucky.

Some of the major contracts in his career include:

• Baltimore Ravens: Smith signed a four-year rookie contract worth about $2.76 million in 2015.
• Green Bay Packers: In 2019, he signed a four-year, $66 million contract.
• Cleveland Browns: He signed a one-year deal worth $10.5 million in 2023.
• Cleveland Browns extension: Smith agreed to a two-year extension worth $23 million in 2024.
• Philadelphia Eagles: He signed a one-year deal in 2025 reported at $9 million.
• Atlanta Falcons: His 2026 return is reportedly a one-year, $6 million contract that can reach $8 million with incentives.

Smith’s career earnings had already surpassed $80 million before his latest comeback, according to Spotrac figures reported in 2025.

Za’Darius Smith Eagles contract

Smith joined the Eagles in 2025 on a one-year contract reported at $9 million.

Philadelphia expected the veteran defender to provide experience and pass-rushing production. Instead, his season ended after only five games because of his family circumstances.

His brief Eagles stint produced 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks and three quarterback hits.

Smith’s retirement meant Philadelphia lost an experienced defensive player in the middle of the season, but the circumstances were far more personal than football-related.

Za’Darius Smith Falcons contract

Smith’s latest contract is with the Atlanta Falcons.

According to Reuters, Atlanta signed him to a one-year deal reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz at $6 million, with incentives potentially taking the contract to $8 million.

The move also gives Smith an opportunity to continue his NFL career while playing for Stefanski again.

Smith’s decision to return appears to be about more than money. After losing several close family members, he has spoken openly about how football helped him move forward.

He described football as his “happy place” and said returning to the field helped him emerge from a dark period.

Za’Darius Smith career and NFL teams

Smith has built an 11-season NFL career with several teams.

He started with the Baltimore Ravens, who drafted him in the fourth round in 2015. He then became a major pass-rushing threat with the Green Bay Packers, producing the best statistical stretch of his career.

Smith recorded 13.5 sacks in 2019 and followed that with 12.5 sacks in 2020.

He later played for the Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles.

Before returning with Atlanta, Smith had accumulated:

• 70.5 career sacks
• 343 tackles
• 10 forced fumbles
• 16 passes defended
• 145 games
• 98 starts
• Three Pro Bowl selections

Those numbers underline why the Falcons were interested in adding him to their defensive front.

What happened to Za’Darius Smith after retirement?

Smith’s time away from football was extremely difficult.

His mother died after the illness that prompted his retirement. He subsequently lost his grandmother and father as well.

Smith said the losses left him in a dark place. His eventual return to football gave him an outlet and a source of happiness.

The veteran also considered returning to the Cleveland Browns after speaking with general manager Andrew Berry. However, the financial offer did not meet what Smith wanted, and Atlanta ultimately became his destination.

There was also a personal connection to Atlanta: Smith said his mother had wanted him to play for the Falcons because the team was close to their Alabama home.

Za’Darius Smith and Kash Doll

Za’Darius Smith’s name has also been linked to Detroit rapper and actress Kash Doll.

Dating rumors involving Smith and Kash Doll emerged in early 2025. Their relationship became more public as they were seen together, including an appearance at the 2025 BET Awards.

Kash Doll later confirmed that she and Smith had separated.

In August 2025, she indicated that she wanted to focus on herself and said that although Smith was a great guy, the two did not see eye to eye. Their relationship therefore ended before Smith’s NFL retirement became one of the biggest stories surrounding his career.

Are Za’Darius Smith and Kash Doll still together?

Based on the latest publicly reported information, Za’Darius Smith and Kash Doll are no longer together.

Kash Doll confirmed their split in 2025, and reports in 2026 have described her as single.

The relationship attracted significant attention because Smith is an established NFL player while Kash Doll is a well-known figure in the music and entertainment industry.

Za’Darius Smith’s return to football

Smith’s comeback gives his NFL story another unexpected chapter.

He went from announcing his retirement in October 2025 to signing with Atlanta less than a year later. His return came after a period marked by major personal losses and emotional hardship.

For the Falcons, the signing provides a veteran presence and proven pass-rushing production. For Smith, it represents an opportunity to return to the sport that helped shape his life.

At 33, turning 34 in September 2026, Smith is no longer the young defensive prospect who entered the league with Baltimore. However, his career numbers show that he can still provide valuable experience and pressure off the edge.

Za’Darius Smith retirement explained

The key point about the Za’Darius Smith retirement story is that he did not initially intend to leave football.

His mother’s serious illness changed his priorities. After receiving a devastating call from her doctor, Smith chose to spend time with his mother rather than continue his NFL career.

Following her death and the deaths of his grandmother and father, Smith experienced an extremely difficult period. Football eventually became part of his recovery, helping motivate him to return to the field.

His 2026 contract with the Falcons means the retirement that shocked NFL fans in 2025 is now part of his career history rather than its conclusion.

FAQs about Za’Darius Smith

Why did Za’Darius Smith retire?

Za’Darius Smith retired in 2025 after learning from his mother’s doctor that she did not have much time left. He chose to leave the Eagles so he could spend time with his mother.

Is Za’Darius Smith retired now?

No. Smith came out of retirement in August 2026 and signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons.

What is Za’Darius Smith’s new contract?

Smith’s Falcons contract is reportedly worth $6 million for one year, with incentives that could increase the value to $8 million.

What was Za’Darius Smith’s Eagles contract?

Smith signed a one-year contract with the Eagles in 2025 reported at $9 million. He played five games before retiring.

Is Za’Darius Smith married to Kash Doll?

No. Smith and Kash Doll dated but later broke up. Public reports in 2026 describe Kash Doll as single.

How many sacks does Za’Darius Smith have?

Smith entered his 2026 comeback with 70.5 career sacks across 145 regular-season games.

Conclusion

Za’Darius Smith’s career has taken an unusual path. After becoming a three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher and earning more than $80 million during his NFL career, he unexpectedly retired in 2025.

The reason was deeply personal. Smith wanted to spend his mother’s final days with her after learning that she was seriously ill. Her death, followed by the deaths of his grandmother and father, pushed him through an extraordinarily difficult period.

Now, Smith has returned to the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons on a reported one-year, $6 million contract that can reach $8 million with incentives. His comeback gives him another chance to compete while continuing a career that has already included 70.5 sacks.

Meanwhile, his former relationship with Kash Doll remains a separate part of the public interest surrounding the veteran defensive end.