Seattle Seahawks cut DE Aldon Smith for off-the-field matter, sources say

The Seattle Seahawks have cut defensive end Aldon Smith, according to multiple sources. The team released the following statement: “Aldon Smith was released on Saturday following a series of off-field incidents that led to his indefinite suspension by the NFL in the summer. We wish him well.”

The Seattle Seahawks have released pass rusher Aldon Smith, according to multiple media reports. Smith, who was due to make $8.5 million in the next three seasons, was arrested in Los Angeles last week on charges of driving under the influence, spousal battery and vandalism, according to TMZ Sports.

The Seattle Seahawks cut defensive end Aldon Smith for off-the-field behavior that has led to multiple arrests, according to a source familiar with the situation.. Read more about seattle seahawks roster and let us know what you think.

11:56 a.m. Eastern

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    Brady Henderson is a professional football player. ESPN

SEATTLE (AP) — Aldon Smith’s chances of staying with the Seattle Seahawks to continue his NFL comeback are dwindling.

The club stated that the veteran defensive end has been released, citing an off-the-field issue as the reason. According to a source, the decision has nothing to do with football and is the consequence of Smith betraying the team’s confidence.

Smith, 31, has struggled with drinking and legal problems throughout his NFL career, including an arrest in April in Louisiana on an alleged second-degree assault allegation. That event happened soon after the Seahawks hired him to a minimum-wage contract in the hopes of keeping his personal life in order and continuing his professional comeback, which started last season with the Dallas Cowboys after missing the previous four seasons due to NFL sanctions.

Smith, like last season in Dallas, has been residing in a sober living facility in Seattle. Smith stated his “tremendous support staff” aids him with his continuing effort to stay clean while addressing with media for the first time since signing with the Seahawks on July 31.

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“It was just putting myself out there and being ready to trust and rely on [those] individuals,” he said. “Although I’ve always received help, I’ve always tried to bear everything on my shoulders. Allowing and accepting assistance from others was a game-changer for me.”

During training camp, Smith has been impressing the Seahawks with his performance. Last week, one club insider characterized Smith’s on-field appearance as “very terrific.” He participated in the Seahawks’ simulated game at Lumen Field on Sunday and practiced following the team’s day off on Tuesday.

Smith is set to be arraigned on Aug. 24 in connection with his arrest in Louisiana in April. During an argument that started inside a New Orleans coffee shop, he is accused of choking a guy unconscious. Smith approached the guy about marital problems the man was having with one of Smith’s relatives, according to the police report obtained by WWL-TV.

The Seahawks had signed Smith to a one-year, $1.1 million deal with a guaranteed $137,500 only two days before the incident.

Smith did not participate in the Seahawks’ optional offseason program (many of their experienced players waited until the last week to do so) and was exempted from their obligatory minicamp in June. Smith was not physically ready to practice at the time, according to Carroll.

Carroll remarked on how hard Smith had worked to get his body ready and how fast he was picking things up after Smith pushed himself into condition before to training camp. However, Carroll also acknowledged that, given Smith’s alcoholism, there was more to his search for a roster place than what he displayed on the field.

“We really believe that the more we can support him and, obviously, be there for him, the stronger he will get,” Carroll stated on July 31. “That’s basically our goal here,” says the narrator.

Smith’s arrest in Louisiana was the latest in a string of legal troubles that includes several DUI offenses and a domestic violence accusation. Smith was suspended by the NFL for portions of the 2014 and 2015 seasons, as well as from 2016 through 2019, for violating the league’s personal conduct and drug abuse rules.

Last season, he returned to the NFL with the Cowboys, where he recorded five sacks in 16 games, three of which came against Seattle and all of which came in the first half of the season.

Smith has 52.5 sacks in six seasons after setting an NFL record with 33.5 sacks in his first two seasons.

With veterans Carlos Dunlap, Benson Mayowa, and Kerry Hyder, as well as promising young players like Darrell Taylor, Alton Robinson, and L.J. Collier, the Seahawks have a strong edge rusher corps.

Dan Graziano of ESPN contributed to this story.

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