The Seattle Seahawks are releasing defensive end Aldon Smith, NFL Network reported on Wednesday.
Smith signed a one-year, $1.127 million contract with the Seahawks on April 15, although an arrest warrant was issued for him two days later in Louisiana on a second-degree battery charge. He was accused of choking a man unconscious after an altercation in a coffee shop.
Smith, 31, made a strong comeback last season with the Dallas Cowboys after four years out of the league. He started all 16 games and recorded five sacks, 14 quarterback hits, 48 tackles and two fumble recoveries — including one returned for a touchdown.
He was the No. 7 overall pick by San Francisco in 2011 and registered 33.5 sacks in his first 32 games with the 49ers, earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2012.
However, following a series of arrests and off-field issues, as well as multiple team and league suspensions, Smith was suspended by the NFL in November 2015. He wasn’t reinstated until last May.
Smith has 52.5 sacks and 103 quarterback hits in 75 games (53 starts) with the 49ers (2011-14), then-Oakland Raiders (2015) and Cowboys (2020).
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–Field Level Media