Brad Holmes, Detroit Lions’ general manager, shared the tense behind-the-scenes process of acquiring Za’Darius Smith after Aidan Hutchinson’s injury in Week 6.

The injury to Hutchinson marked a pivotal moment for the Lions. Holmes explained that the front office immediately began evaluating pass rushers to address the gap left by Hutchinson’s absence. “As soon as Hutch got hurt, we started looking at a variety of pass rushers,” Holmes recalled. “We had a good idea of who to focus on, but the process wasn’t quick.”

It took the Lions’ front office an entire week to go through the list of available players before making any moves. “It took a full week to evaluate everyone,” Holmes said. “Once we completed that, we started reaching out.”

Za’Darius Smith as the Top Contender

As they assessed the options, Smith emerged as a standout candidate. Holmes was confident in his evaluation: “Za’Darius was one of the top players we considered. In fact, he was the best available option we could realistically target.”

Intense and Uncertain Negotiations

The discussions about a potential trade with the Browns started well before the deadline, with the Lions making Smith their primary target. Holmes recalled that the trade talks became more urgent during the week the Lions played the Titans. However, even with the momentum, Holmes wasn’t sure the deal would be finalized. “The night before the deadline, I honestly wasn’t sure it was going to happen,” he admitted.

Holmes even began preparing alternative options, spending time reviewing a new set of pass rushers as backup plans. “I was in my office, in the dark, reviewing players outside of our original list because we’d already gone through that,” he said.

Relief After Securing the Trade

In the end, all the hard work paid off. Holmes received a call from Browns GM Andrew Berry confirming the trade, bringing him a sense of relief. “When Andrew Berry called me that night, it felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders,” Holmes expressed, reflecting on the moment with a mix of relief and excitement.

The acquisition of Smith proved crucial for the Lions’ defense, providing a significant boost to their pass rush. Holmes’ careful and persistent approach to the trade played a key role in strengthening the team’s roster.