Former NFL All-Pro Aldon Smith dies at 36; cause undisclosed

A sudden passing

The San Francisco 49ers announced on Saturday that former defensive end Aldon Smith has died at the age of 36. The team did not disclose a cause of death. The news was first reported early on June 14, 2026, with multiple outlets confirming the statement shortly afterward.

We are devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Aldon Smith. Aldon's undeniable talent and sheer dominance on the field were on display from the moment he joined our organization, having recorded one of the best rookie seasons the National Football League has seen. Beyond his excellence as a player, Aldon will be remembered for his infectious smile that lit up every room he walked into.

Record-setting start in San Francisco

Smith was selected by the 49ers with the seventh overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft out of Missouri. He made an immediate impact as a pass rusher, registering 14 sacks in his rookie campaign, the second-most by a first-year player since sacks became an official statistic in 1982. He finished second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting and was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team.

In 2012, Smith elevated his play further, notching 19.5 sacks, still a franchise single-season record. His 33.5 combined sacks over his first two seasons are the most by any player in his first two NFL seasons. That year he earned Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors as the 49ers advanced to the Super Bowl.

Off-field troubles disrupt a promising career

Smith’s time in the league was repeatedly interrupted by legal issues and suspensions. In 2013 he was arrested on felony charges of possessing illegal assault weapons. The following year he was suspended nine games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. After a DUI arrest in 2015, the 49ers released him.

He joined the Oakland Raiders later in 2015, appearing in nine games before the NFL handed him an indefinite suspension for another violation of its substance abuse policy. He missed the entire 2016 and 2017 seasons, and the Raiders released him in 2018 following an arrest for domestic violence.

Brief return and retirement

Smith was reinstated in 2020 and signed with the Dallas Cowboys, where he started all 16 games that season. He had a brief stint with the Seattle Seahawks in 2021 without appearing in a game, and formally announced his retirement in 2023. Across 75 regular-season games, Smith recorded 44 sacks, 81 quarterback hits, and five forced fumbles.

His death comes just over three years after he stepped away from the league. The 49ers' statement closed, "Our entire organization sends its deepest condolences to the Smith family and all who knew and loved Aldon."