Dan Campbell’s Key Decision on Za’Darius Smith Following Lions-Browns Trade”Dan Campbell’s Key Decision on Za’Darius Smith Following Lions-Browns Trade”
One of the major storylines at the NFL trade deadline involved the Detroit Lions, who have emerged as one of the top teams in the NFC this season. Entering the season, the Lions needed an additional pass rusher, a need that intensified when standout defensive end Aidan Hutchinson suffered a season-ending leg injury.
Detroit held out until the last moment but eventually added a reinforcement on the edge. They struck a deal with the Cleveland Browns, acquiring edge rusher Za’Darius Smith and a seventh-round pick in exchange for Detroit’s fifth- and sixth-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
This trade brings a proven edge rusher to the Lions’ defense. However, head coach Dan Campbell is choosing not to rush Smith to Detroit immediately following the trade, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
“That was important,” Campbell noted, via Birkett. “He’s been around the league a while, and Cleveland was about to start their bye week when he got the call, so let him do what he needs to refresh and be back here Friday.”
Lions emerging as NFC powerhouse
Many NFC contenders have struggled with inconsistency. The San Francisco 49ers have dealt with injuries, the Green Bay Packers have faced multiple injuries to Jordan Love, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost key players Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
Despite losing Aidan Hutchinson to a serious leg injury amid a Defensive Player of the Year caliber season, the Lions remain resilient. Campbell’s team looks nearly unstoppable as they continue to dominate opponents.
The Lions have won six straight games since a Week 2 loss to the Buccaneers, most in commanding fashion. In Week 6, they crushed the Cowboys in Dallas 47-9. A few weeks later, they routed the Titans 52-14.
Week 9 saw one of Detroit’s best performances yet. In a heated NFC North matchup against Green Bay, the Lions dismantled the Packers at Lambeau Field, controlling the game in a 24-14 victory that felt even more lopsided than the score.
Campbell has this squad firing on all cylinders. Jared Goff is completing nearly every pass, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery are running through defenses, and the Lions defense is playing sound football and limiting big plays.
Sustaining this level of performance is challenging, but they will be a tough team to beat if they keep playing like this.
