Brad Holmes Shares Update on Za’Darius Smith’s Status with Lions
Detroit Lions fans hoping for a reunion with veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith may want to manage their expectations. On Thursday, general manager Brad Holmes addressed the recent speculation and made it clear: nothing new has developed.
Speaking to the Detroit News, Holmes said, “We haven’t had any talks since the last time I mentioned him. We left it with his agent—if there was any news or changes, they’d reach out. But at this point, there’s been no new conversations.”
Smith was released back in March due to salary cap constraints. At the NFL Annual Meeting, Holmes mentioned that the team would’ve liked to keep the Pro Bowl pass rusher, but financially, it just wasn’t feasible. However, he didn’t close the door entirely, hinting that a return could still be possible depending on market dynamics.
As it stands, that door remains slightly open, but neither side seems eager to push it further at the moment.
Looking Ahead
With the 2025 NFL Draft fast approaching and several promising edge rushers expected to be available, the Lions might be leaning toward adding youth to their pass-rush rotation. That said, if Smith lowers his asking price, the team might consider bringing him back as a seasoned backup behind Aidan Hutchinson and others.
But right now, it’s all quiet on that front—and if Holmes does make a move, it’ll be strategic and on the Lions’ terms, not driven by urgency.
