Former Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Donovan Smith called it quits over the weekend, announcing his retirement from the NFL the day following the conclusion of the 2026 draft.
Smith spent eight of his nine professional seasons as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, capturing his first Super Bowl title there via a victory over the Chiefs following the 2020 campaign. He landed with Kansas City in 2023, starting 12 games at left tackle.
Smith missed the final five contests of that regular season, though he returned for the playoffs and started all four games on the way to a championship. Those Super Bowl snaps ultimately proved the last of Smith’s time in the league, as he hit free agency the following spring but never saw the field for another team.
Donovan Smith Pens Retirement Message on Social Media
GettyFormer Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Donovan Smith.
More than two years since his last official snap, the 88-game starter issued his retirement message via Instagram on Sunday, April 26.
Football has made me feel and experience every emotion imaginable. It has also equipped me with lifelong lessons and tools on how to cope and deal with all things life may throw your way. It’s allowed me to grow in my faith, maturation as a man, brother, father, son, and servant to my community.
I’ve gained lifelong friendships with people in the locker rooms I’ve walked and people behind the scenes that day in and day out make us, as athletes, the best we can be to be able to run out that tunnel on game days and perform. It has blessed me with a college degree and the abilities and resources to provide for my family and more.
Thank you to all that has helped me through the years along my football career. It has allowed me to grow and experience life in ways I can’t put into words. I am forever grateful to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the many blessings in my life and look forward to the new doors that will be opened for me on the other side of retirement.
Smith turns 33 years old in June. He earned a total of nearly $63 million over the course of his professional career, which began as a second-round pick out of Penn State in 2015.
Chiefs Have Major Questions, Need at Offensive Tackle Heading into 2026 Season
GettyKansas City Chiefs left tackle Josh Simmons.
The Chiefs face current concerns at the offensive tackle position after the team released Jawaan Taylor this offseason in the interest of saving $20 million against the salary cap.
Jaylon Moore is on the roster and under contract through 2026, though he started just six games last season and has just 18 starts to his name across 70 games played.
Josh Simmons, a first-round pick in 2025 out of Ohio State, played in and started just eight contests during his rookie campaign due to off-field concerns that pulled him away from the game, as well as injuries. Thus, the Chiefs entered the offseason with real need at the tackle position with optionality to pursue an addition on either the right side, left side or both.
Kansas City instead focused on defense in the draft, making its first three selections and four of its first five on that side of the football.
The Chiefs did not add a viable starter at tackle in either the draft or the several weeks of free agency leading up to it, decisions that render Kansas City a viable landing spot for 10-year starter and 2024 Pro Bowler Taylor Decker, whom the Detroit Lions released earlier this offseason.
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