Donovan Smith's tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs was a short one. It was also about as meaningful as it could be.
A nine-year veteran offensive lineman, Smith's understandably in a more reflective mood these days. Two full seasons have passed since he's played an official snap in the NFL, and on Sunday, Smith announced his retirement from the game.
Smith posted the news on Instagram with a heartfelt look back at his career and those who helped him along the way.
"When I first started out this journey in 7th grade, I didn’t know what the other side would hold. With dedication, self-awareness, hard work, perseverance, sacrifice, treating people with kindness and respect, and capitalizing on the opportunities presented to me, I was able to gain more from the game than I could imagine. 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 spent one season with the Chiefs in 2023 after signing a one-year, $3 million deal to serve as the team's starting left tackle. He helped Kansas City claim victory in Super Bowl LVIII over the San Francisco 49ers, which gave him a second championship ring. His first was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV while protecting Tom Brady.
Originally a second-round pick (No. 34 overall) by the Bucs in 2015 out of Penn State, Smith spent eight years in Tampa and started 124 games in that span, with another seven postseason starts to his credit. While Smith never made the Pro Bowl, he was always regarded as an above average left tackle with the Bucs, and he was a serviceable starter for the Chiefs during a time when finding a dependable left tackle was hard to find.
There were questions for another season as to whether or not Smith might return as some help at a frustrating position in 2024. The Chiefs tried Kingsley Suamataia outside in his first year before sliding him inside to guard in '25. Wanya Morris stepped up as a backup before suffering an injury. In the end, the Chiefs signed D.J. Humphries instead as veteran help down the stretch but that lasted a single start before he was sidelined by a hamstring concern.
The Chiefs have now found a long-term answer in the form of Josh Simmons, taken in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Smith has now officially entered into retirement. Fans are glad that left tackle is no longer an annual concern, but they can also be thankful for Smith for stepping in when he did.
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