The Atlanta Falcons are adding some serious veteran experience to their defense.
The Falcons have officially signed defensive end Za’Darius Smith, bringing a proven pass rusher and three-time Pro Bowl selection to Atlanta.
Smith entered the NFL in 2015 when the Baltimore Ravens selected him in the fourth round with the 122nd overall pick out of Kentucky.
Now entering his 12th NFL season, Smith has put together quite the résumé while making stops with the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles.
Over 145 career games, including 98 starts, Smith has recorded 321 tackles, 70.5 sacks, 176 quarterback hits, 87 tackles for loss, 16 passes defensed, 11 forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
But Smith isn’t just bringing regular-season experience to Atlanta.
The veteran has appeared in nine postseason games, recording 18 tackles, four sacks, eight quarterback hits and four tackles for loss.
For the Falcons, the addition gives the defensive front another experienced option who knows how to get after the quarterback. With more than 70 career sacks under his belt, Smith brings a veteran presence to a defensive unit preparing for the start of the 2026 regular season.
Smith joins Atlanta at a busy point in the preseason. The Falcons and Colts will hold their first joint practice on Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 3 p.m., followed by another session on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 3 p.m. Those practices will give Atlanta another opportunity to evaluate its roster and get some competitive work against another team before returning to preseason action.
The Falcons will then take on the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 1 p.m. ET at Lucas Oil Stadium.
With joint practices, another preseason matchup and roster decisions approaching, the Falcons continue adding pieces as they prepare for the 2026 season.
