What happened: Smith said he retired in 2025 to spend time with his ailing mother before she died. He later lost his grandmother and father before returning to football.
Why it matters: Smith came out of retirement this month, adding an experienced pass rusher to Atlanta's defense. His return begins a new chapter after three deaths in his family.
By the numbers: Smith has recorded 70.5 sacks and 87 tackles for loss across 145 regular-season games.
What to watch: Atlanta will continue managing Smith's workload as he rebuilds football conditioning ahead of the regular season.