Earlier today on The Morning Shift right before the show wrapped up Mike Johnson, Ali Mac, and Beau Morgan reacted to the breaking news that the Atlanta Falcons have signed three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher/outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith. Mike, Ali, and Beau also earlier in the show reacted to the news about Smith working out for the Falcons and explained why they think Smith's tenacity would make him a good fit for Jeff Ulbrich and the Falcons defense.
In 2023, the Cleveland Browns traded for Smith. In Cleveland he finished with 5.5 sacks and eight tackles for a loss under then head coach Kevin Stefanski, who's obviously now in Atlanta.
The three-time Pro-Bowler played with the Philadelphia Eagles last season where he had 3 solo tackles, 7 assists and 1.5 sacks in 5 games before retiring in October, but Smith has now ended his brief retirement to reunite with Kevin Stefanski in Atlanta to help a Falcons pass rush that will be without Jalon Walker for the entire season, and be without James Pearce Jr. for the first eight games of the season.
The veteran edge rusher has played both defensive end and outside linebacker during his 11-year career and has 70.5 sacks, 87 tackles for a loss and 10 forced fumbles in that time.
