The 49ers gave defensive end Justin Smith all the time he wanted to make up his mind about returning for another season, but the extra time didn’t cause Smith to commit to another year in the trenches.
The team announced on Monday afternoon that Smith has decided to retire after 14 NFL seasons. He spent the last seven of those years with the 49ers after joining the team as a free agent following seven years in Cincinnati and General Manager Trent Baalke said in a statement that Smith left a big impression on the organization.
“Justin is the consummate professional whose impact on this organization can never be measured by statistics alone,” Baalke said. “His durability, competitiveness, work ethic, strength and rare stamina helped set him apart over his 14-year career. Cowboy will go down as one of the best to ever wear a 49ers uniform and his candidness, work ethic and pure passion for the game will be missed. We wish the very best for him and his family!”
Smith’s career took off when he joined the 49ers as all five of his Pro Bowl appearances and his one first-team All-Pro selection came after joining the team in 2008. He ends his career having missed just three games over 14 years and recording 87 sacks, 17 forced fumbles and three interceptions.
Smith joins linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland as big parts of the 2014 49ers defense to retire this offseason and the team will move on with Darnell Dockett, Tony Jerod-Eddie, Tank Carradine and first-round pick Arik Armstead at defensive end.