Za'Darius Smith comes out of retirement, signs one-year deal with Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are adding a proven pass rusher to a room that badly needs one.

The deal is worth $6 million with a chance to reach $8 million, according to Ian Rapoport. Smith, a three-time Pro Bowl edge, is coming out of retirement to sign with Atlanta after sitting out the early part of the offseason. His agent, Erik Burkhardt of Roc Nation Sports, confirmed the agreement across multiple reports.

The move reunites Smith with head coach Kevin Stefanski, who coached him in Cleveland in 2023. Atlanta's interest had been building — Smith worked out for the Falcons over the weekend after he had been widely expected to land with the Browns, the team he visited most recently. Instead, he lands in Atlanta, which is dealing with the losses of first-round edge Jalon Walker (ACL) and second-round edge James Pearce Jr. (suspension) as it reshapes its front.

Smith, 33, has been one of the more durable and disruptive edge defenders of the past decade when healthy, with Pro Bowl seasons in Green Bay, Baltimore and Cleveland. He spent the most recent portion of his career with the Lions before stepping away. The Falcons are banking on a veteran jolt to a pass rush that has leaned heavily on younger, unproven pieces entering the season.