Sudden retirement could reshape the future of the Eagles defense

After the Eagles won Super Bowl 59, Philadelphia lost 40 percent of their Sack Production from the 2024 season. The retirement of Brandon Graham along with the departures in Free Agency of Milton Williams and Josh Sweat.

The team was hoping young edge rushers Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt would step up and fill the void for the loss of three key players from the 2024 Eagles team. But the close win over the Dallas Cowboys on opening night at Lincoln Financial Field forced General Manager Howie Roseman to make a move.

Less than 24 hours after the Eagles won the first game of the 2025 NFL season, Philadelphia signed three-time Pro Bowl selection Za'Darius Smith. The Veteran Edge Rusher at 33 years old was expected to help the Eagles Pass Rush.

A couple weeks later, the Eagles got the bad news that Nolan Smith had injured the same Triceps he had surgery on this offseason. The absence of Smith would put pressure of the rest of the roster to step up in his absence.

But since losing Smith to the Injured Reserve list, the Eagles defense is allowing 26.6 Points Per Game Against, and averaging on Four QB Hits per game in the last three games played. Now Philadelphia gets more bad news for their struggling Pass Rush as they look to halt their two-game losing streak this Sunday.

Veteran Pass Rusher Announces Sudden Retirement

On Monday morning, the 33-year-old Za'Darius Smith made the following post on his Instagram account:

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.

This career has taken me across the world — from earning my first passport stamp to visit countries I only saw on maps, to helping me start a foundation that gives back to my community. There have been challenges along the way, but the rewards have outweighed them all and helped me learn, grow, and evolve as a man.
“…For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required…” – Luke 12:48
And to the fans — the biggest thank you of all.
To every fan from each organization I represented: thank you, thank you, thank you for everything! From wearing my jerseys, collecting my cards, sending letters, sharing your opinions (good and tough ones alike), and most importantly — showing love. I felt it all.
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.

Za'Darius Smith, in five games, accounted for almost 20 percent of the Eagles Pass Rush production. He had 1.5 Sacks and Three Quarterback Hits for Philadelphia's Defense. No one saw this retirement coming, but multiple reports state that this was for "personal" reasons and that Smith enjoyed playing in Philadelphia.

Without the veteran pass rusher, the Eagles' pass rush gets worse now, without two of their best pass rushers. Nolan Smith is not expected to return until November 10th when Philadelphia will play the Green Bay Packers.

Speculation is that General Manager Howie Roseman is already making phone calls to make a trade to add another player to the roster. Players rumored to be targets for the Eagles include Bengals Edge Rusher Trey Hendrickson, Saints Defensive End Cam Jordan, and Browns Defensive Lineman Alex Wright.

Whoever lines up for Philadelphia's defense in NFL Week 7 will be looking to end the team's two-game losing streak this Sunday in Minnesota. When the Eagles play the Vikings, here are some of the top-rated places to watch the game this Sunday: