Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers left tackle Donovan Smith has announced his retirement from the NFL via a post on his Instagram.
Happy retirement to former Bucs tackle Donovan Smith, who announced his news today. Won Super Bowls with the Bucs and Chiefs, 136 career starts. Last played in 2023. pic.twitter.com/ds7SukPIGr
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) April 26, 2026
“Dear Football, 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,” reads an excerpt from his retirement post.
“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.”
Smith was a second-round pick out of Penn State back in 2015, and he played eight seasons for the Buccaneers, starting 124 games.
His retirement coming during draft weekend is fitting, as it allows us to recognize him as one of Jason Licht’s most successful draft picks
Smith was an iron man for the Buccaneers, missing only six regular season games in eight seasons, and holding down the left tackle spot for the entirety of his time in Tampa Bay.
After the Bucs moved on following the 2022 season, Smith signed with the Kansas City Chiefs for the 2023, starting 12 games, and won a second Super Bowl ring there. He hasn’t appeared in a game since the end of the 2023 season, but didn’t make his retirement official until now.
It’s hard to overstate how crucial it is to have a steady, reliable presence as the anchor of your offensive line, and Smith stepped up for the Bucs for years.
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