Baltimore, MD – June 30, 2025
In a move that speaks volumes about loyalty, legacy, and unfinished business, a veteran pass rusher has made a personal sacrifice to chase one last shot at glory — and he’s doing it in the city where it all began.
Za’Darius Smith, the former Pro Bowler and longtime defensive menace, has officially signed with the Baltimore Ravens. But what’s making headlines isn’t just the reunion. It’s the fact that Smith reportedly turned down more lucrative offers elsewhere and accepted a reduced salary to return to Baltimore, where his NFL journey first began in 2015.
“I didn’t come here for money. I came to finish what we started,” Smith said, according to team sources. “Baltimore built me. I still have purple and black in my blood.”
After racking up 10 sacks and 67 pressures last season, Smith proved he can still wreak havoc at an elite level. Multiple teams were in the mix, including playoff contenders, but none carried the weight of the Ravens — the team that drafted him, molded him, and, in his words, “made me believe I belonged.”
The Ravens’ edge rusher room had talent but lacked experience. Odafe Oweh is still searching for consistency. Kyle Van Noy remains a seasoned veteran but isn't the every-down presence he once was. Mike Green, the team’s rookie hopeful, is promising but unproven. With the window wide open for a Super Bowl run behind Lamar Jackson and a dominant secondary, Baltimore needed someone who could disrupt quarterbacks now — not later.
Enter Smith.
By taking a team-friendly deal, he gives the Ravens financial flexibility while delivering instant impact. For Baltimore, it’s a no-brainer. For Smith, it’s personal.
“This isn’t about one last paycheck,” Smith reportedly told teammates. “It’s about legacy. It’s about home.”
With John Harbaugh recently extended and the locker room fully bought in, Smith’s return feels like a final piece in a championship puzzle. The Ravens aren’t just getting a pass rusher. They’re getting a leader, a mentor, and a man who came back not because he had to — but because he wanted to.
Stay tuned to ESPN!
