Za’Darius Smith Bio
Za’Darius Smith is an American former professional football linebacker and defensive end who played 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Born on September 8, 1992, in Montgomery, Alabama, he built a reputation as a productive pass rusher across multiple organizations before announcing his retirement. Smith suited up for the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, and Philadelphia Eagles during his NFL career.
At 6 feet 4 inches and around 272 pounds, Smith combined size with quickness off the edge. Selected in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft, he developed into a Pro Bowl defender and earned a second-team All-Pro selection during his peak years in Green Bay.
Early Life and Background
Za’Darius Smith grew up in Greenville, Alabama, where he attended Greenville High School. Football was not his first athletic love. He played basketball in high school and did not start playing organized football until his senior year, a late start that made his professional trajectory all the more unusual.
Even with limited early football experience, Smith possessed the frame and athletic traits that college recruiters look for in defensive linemen. His late introduction to the sport meant that he entered college with significant room to grow as a technical player, but his physical tools gave him a foundation to build on quickly.
Path to the NFL
After high school, Smith played college football for two years at East Mississippi Community College, where he developed into a disruptive pass rusher. In his two seasons with the East Mississippi Lions, he recorded 66 tackles and 11 sacks, numbers that attracted attention from four-year programs.
Smith transferred to the University of Kentucky, where he started all 12 games in his first season and posted 59 tackles and six sacks, a total that ranked seventh in the Southeastern Conference. As a senior in 2014, he added 60 tackles and 4.5 sacks, earning third-team All-SEC honors.
Smith appeared in the 2015 East-West Shrine Game and was named the most valuable defensive player of the contest after recording two combined tackles and a sack. He then participated in the 2015 Reese’s Senior Bowl, where he helped the North defeat the South 34-13, and entered the draft as a projected third or fourth-round pick.
Za’Darius Smith Career
Early Career with the Baltimore Ravens (2015-2018)
The Baltimore Ravens selected Za’Darius Smith in the fourth round, 122nd overall, of the 2015 NFL draft, using a pick acquired from the Detroit Lions in exchange for Haloti Ngata. He signed a four-year rookie contract and began his career as a backup outside linebacker behind Terrell Suggs.
Smith made his regular-season debut on September 20, 2015, against the Oakland Raiders and finished his rookie year with 30 tackles and 5.5 sacks across 15 games. He gradually earned a larger role, and by 2018 he was starting eight games and leading the Ravens in sacks with a career-high 8.5, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after a three-sack performance against the Tennessee Titans.
Green Bay Packers Breakthrough (2019-2021)
On March 14, 2019, Smith signed a four-year, $66 million contract with the Green Bay Packers, a deal that signaled his arrival as a premier pass rusher. He made an immediate impact in his Packers debut against the Chicago Bears and went on to record a career-high 13.5 sacks during the regular season. In the Divisional Round of the playoffs, he added two sacks on Russell Wilson in a win over the Seattle Seahawks.
Smith followed that performance with another strong year in 2020, forcing turnovers and recording multiple sacks in signature games against the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, and Chicago Bears. He was named to the 2021 Pro Bowl and earned second-team All-Pro recognition for the 2020 season.
Injuries disrupted his 2021 campaign. Smith reported to training camp with a back issue, played only briefly in Week 1, and was later placed on injured reserve before undergoing back surgery. He returned for the Divisional Round playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers and recorded a sack in his first action since the season opener. The Packers released him in March 2022 to create salary cap space.
Minnesota Vikings (2022)
On March 22, 2022, Za’Darius Smith signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings, reuniting him with former Green Bay defensive coaches Mike Pettine and Mike Smith. He enjoyed a strong October stretch that earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Month honors after posting 14 tackles, 6.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, and a pass breakup.
In Week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals, Smith recorded seven tackles, three sacks, four tackles for loss, and a pass breakup in a 34-26 Vikings victory, a performance that brought him NFC Defensive Player of the Week recognition.
Cleveland Browns (2023-2024)
On May 16, 2023, the Cleveland Browns acquired Smith in a trade that sent two fifth-round picks to Minnesota. He started all 16 games for the Browns and finished second on the team with 5.5 sacks. On March 13, 2024, Smith signed a two-year contract extension to remain in Cleveland.
Detroit Lions Era (2024-2025)
On November 5, 2024, Smith was traded to the Detroit Lions along with a 2026 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick. He made his Lions debut on November 17 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and recorded half a sack on quarterback Mac Jones in a 52-6 win. The Lions released Smith on March 9, 2025.
Philadelphia Eagles and Retirement (2025)
On September 5, 2025, Smith signed a one-year, $9 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. He played in five games, including two starts, and recorded 1.5 sacks and 10 combined tackles. On October 13, 2025, Smith announced that he would be retiring from professional football.
Notable Events and Milestones
Smith earned Pro Bowl selections in 2019, 2020, and 2022, and was named second-team All-Pro for the 2020 season. He recorded 13.5 sacks in 2019, his career high, and finished his career with notable playoff moments, including multiple sacks on Russell Wilson in the 2019 postseason.
Za’Darius Smith Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Za’Darius Smith is the uncle of Detroit Lions wide receiver Jackson Meeks, a family connection that has placed both players in the same NFL organization. Smith has kept most of his personal life out of the public eye, and additional details about his immediate family have not been widely reported.
2025 Season Performance
Za’Darius Smith’s 2025 campaign began when he signed a one-year, $9 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on September 5. He appeared in five games, including two starts, and contributed 1.5 sacks and 10 combined tackles to the Eagles’ defense.
On October 13, 2025, Smith announced his retirement from professional football, bringing an end to an 11-season NFL career. His decision closed a chapter that began with a fourth-round selection by the Baltimore Ravens in 2015 and concluded with a brief stint in Philadelphia.
Across his career, Smith established himself as one of the more productive pass rushers of his draft class, earning three Pro Bowl nods and a second-team All-Pro selection while playing for six franchises.