Aug. 18 (UPI) -- The Atlanta Falcons signed edge rusher Za'Darius Smith, they announced Tuesday.
A source told NFL Network and the Schultz Report that the one-year pact is for $6 million and can escalate to $8 million with incentives.
Smith totaled 10 combined tackles, three quarterback hits, two tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks over five appearances last season for the Philadelphia Eagles. The 33-year-old announced his retirement in October, but opted to return for a 12th NFL season.
Smith is set to play for his seventh different NFL team. The fourth-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2015 NFL Draft also spent time with the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions, in addition to his tenure with the Eagles.
He totaled a career-high 13.5 sacks in 2019 for the Packers. Smith registered at least 10 sacks in three of four seasons from 2019 through 2022. He appeared in 145 games through his first 11 seasons.
The three-time Pro Bowl selection previously played for Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski while he coached the Browns in 2023 and 2024.
The Falcons made the move four days after the NFL suspended edge rusher James Pearce Jr. for the first eight games of the 2026 season for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Earlier this month, they also lost defensive end Jalon Walker, the No. 15 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, to a season-ending ACL tear.
Cam Thomas, Brandon Dorlus, Azeez Ojulari and Samson Ebukam are among their top remaining edge rushers.
The Falcons will take on the Indianapolis Colts in a preseason matchup at 1 p.m. EDT Saturday in Indianapolis. They will face the Miami Dolphins in their preseason finale Aug. 28 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Falcons will open the regular season against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 13 in Pittsburgh.