The Detroit Lions still need some pass-rushing help heading into training camp, and it might be time for a reunion in the Motor City.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox dubbed the Lions as one of the top landing spots for free agent edge rusher Za’Darius Smith.
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Smith played eight games for Detroit in 2024 after being traded there from the Cleveland Browns at the deadline. He was released by the Lions in March and is still on the free agency market.
“While Detroit allowed Smith to walk early this offseason, they should strongly consider bringing him back now. The Lions did little to bolster their pass rush aside from re-signing Marcus Davenport, and Smith is probably the best complement to Aidan Hutchinson that they’re going to find this late in the offseason,” Knox wrote.
Though he is getting older, Smith was still productive last year, tallying nine sacks and 66 quarterback pressures in 17 games. The 32-year-old isn’t capable of being a No.1 pass rusher anymore, but he can still provide a ton of value as a complementary piece and veteran presence on a contender.
The Lions must add another starting-caliber edge rusher to help out Aidan Hutchinson, and Smith is their best option at this point in the offseason, unless they can somehow pull off a trade for disgruntled Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.
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Smith won’t be too expensive to sign and would immediately step in as the bona fide No.2 edge rusher opposite Hutchinson. Additionally, Smith has already expressed interest in going back to Detroit, and the Lions still have a good amount of cap space, so this is a no-brainer.
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