Why Would The Detroit Lions RELEASE Za’Darius Smith?

47 comments

1. Maybe he didn’t want to be in Detroit he got traded here

2. Sounds like Hendrickson in play, trading Decker to Bengals is bubbling online.

3. Many people in Detroit still questions Brad Holmes decision. Give him a break, may be Smith don't meet the criteria they want for DE, may be the DC think he doesn't fill the hole on the line.

4. Lions on my plan.. thank you Jesus

5. I was surprised by this but brad had been talking about wanting multiple edges so its gotta be clearing up money

6. the same reason GB did, He's old and busted. This is also (SOL) Same Old Lions

7. Fire Brad Holmes. Davenport over Z.Smith.:. Unless he brings in Mack.

8. Cap cut. They will likely try to resign him. I know fans don’t want to hear this but the plan at RDE is Davenport and a couple modest draft picks

9. I’m Happy with it exactly what I wanted.. Davenport is a better player than Z at this point. All z can do is get clean up sacks when the QB makes an error can’t win 1v1s Davenport can. We got Davenport for 1/2 the price too. Had to save cap excellent move

10. Incoming Trey Hendrickson

11. Trey Hendrickson or bust

12. Signed Davenport: disappointed
    Cut Smith: disgusted
    Hendrickson better be on the horizon.

13. Dont worry Ya'll, Brad is cooking! Haha cooking Rancid Stinkin Garbage Lol

14. I remember when the fan base was freaking out over the Gibbs, Campbell, Jamo picks in the first round. Look at them now…..FA is about the start…..can we revisit this in about a month. And then again after the draft. And for the comments on here that said we should fire Brad Holmes ….Here put this on 🤡 – it suits you!

15. Trey hendrickson?

16. SOL fans FREAKIN OUT is too 😂 LoL

    You REALLY think Brad doesn't have a plan???

    The guy that turned a dumpster 🔥 into a 15-2 squad. STFU & RELAX!

17. Stop trying to figure Brad out! He's playing chess… You're playing checkers.

18. Yes. Something needs to be coming

19. Yo I swear to god if we are not signing him back or getting someone else better this team isn’t serious about winning a Super Bowl. What a joke

20. Signing Davenport then cutting Smith and you can't figure that out? I guess when you're in the Brad cult it's tough to face reality. He's not a cook he's not a draft villain eventually you're all going to figure out he's more show than go!

21. Davenport is 2 1/2 million. It's 4 million if he plays so many games.

22. I'm hoping this is for Harold Landry but Brad signs Davenport and releases Smith? Brad instincts when it comes to defensive line players is totally bass ackwards

23. Your not Holmes. You are to young to understand the old to new lions.

24. He is not good enough, end of story

25. Lions gonna move up in the draft and get there guy!

26. We are allergic to the pass rush.

27. I hope somethings coming..

28. Smh

29. Restructure Goff and Amon ra and McNeil

30. So tired of Holmes not prioritizing defensive end position. Flat out its why we haven't made it to the super bowl

31. It sounds strange considering he has said that he wants to stay with the Lions.

32. Unless he’s coming back, fuck this move

33. It’s definitely a head scratcher! But, I agree with you Jeff that we shouldn’t panic yet. Hopefully, Brad’s plan is not to just address this in the draft. 🤞🙏

34. Jeff! First time you have sounded like this! I am 100% positive Brad has a plan! I anticipate a trade with the Bengals and a draft pick at the DE/OLB position to add depth to our ability to rush the QB. Keep the faith…likely Z Smith will be back too once he peddles his wares in FA

35. That contract was so friendly for the Lions….not a smart move unless you have a game plan that works out!

36. Hope and think two different things ….i think it’s gonna be a free agent pick up…I do not want Davis with a giant contract he cost too much and gets injured

37. of course something's coming

38. Bosa is on the way

39. Bargain Brad strikes again! No blockbuster deal coming. Davenport will start.

40. I think this doesn’t make sense for one reason. You free up 5.75 million by releasing Smith and pay the rest as dead money. Yet, yesterday you resign a guy coming off of two season ending injuries in Marcus Davenport who played a game and a half for us last year for 4.75 million. So, you downgrade to save a million dollars next year? Plus, if attrition is the biggest thing that held us back last year, then why not keep Smith even if he has to be a rotational pass rusher after we draft a guy or sign a bigger name? If Hutch or whomever else we pick up goes down again, the attrition isn’t as major if you have a good edge like Smith to replace them. Plus, it’s one year and we aren’t tied to him. So it’s not like it’s going to impact extensions for core guys. We essentially then gave up our fifth round this year and sixth round pick next year to get an injury prone guy who barely plays in Davenport and save a million dollars. Makes no sense.

41. BRAD IS SMARTER THAN ALL OF US.

42. I'm with you, I would have kept him. Have to see what happens though. Could be better canidates are being lined up.

43. Dumb move

44. Something is brewing… Z was good but he could have been better. & We could go younger! Or grab a free agent Hendricks, Sweat from the Eagles, Von Miller is also a free agent

45. I don't care if their happy or sad about dropping ZS. Why in the HELL do you resign Davenport? WTF could be the reasoning there? I'm done with the "Brad is a genius" shit, because this is idiotic. He better have a damn good plan, b/c this SUCKS!

46. smh brad changing the rules. ..

47. I hope you keep Z ,he is a great fit and fan favorite. I hope you find a way to keep him!