The Detroit Lions are still in talks with Za’Darius Smith about a potential return after his brief stint with the team following an injury that ended his season. Smith, a veteran edge rusher, made significant contributions to the Lions’ defense, but they ultimately decided to release him due to a $7 million option bonus kicking in. This marked the second time in four years that Smith was cut by an NFC North team, after the Green Bay Packers did the same in 2022, which led to his moves to Minnesota, Cleveland, and Detroit.
Despite this, the Lions are not ruling out a reunion, and general manager Brad Holmes has kept communication open with Smith’s representatives. However, Holmes noted that the price would need to be adjusted before a potential deal becomes feasible. “We just couldn’t afford it,” Holmes explained, mentioning that Smith’s performance with the team was appreciated, but financial constraints prevented a continuation of the relationship.
The Lions had traded a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick in exchange for Smith, who recorded a total of four sacks and ten quarterback hits in the limited time he played for Detroit. Over the last three years, Smith has remained largely healthy, recovering from a back injury that sidelined him for much of the 2021 season. However, Smith will turn 33 just before the start of the 2024 season, and the Lions are also keeping an eye on their financial future, especially with Aidan Hutchinson’s impending contract extension.
Holmes emphasized the impact that rookie contracts had on the team’s financial flexibility, but as the team’s young players start to receive larger contracts, the Lions must carefully manage their cap space. This is especially crucial as Hutchinson’s extension will raise cap numbers in the coming seasons. Smith, who has had three seasons with double-digit sacks, will likely be seeking a higher salary than the Lions are currently willing to offer, but a lower-cost deal could still be a possibility for the veteran. The Lions’ draft decisions and how they address their pass-rushing needs, particularly in complementing Hutchinson, will play a big role in determining whether they pursue a return for Smith in 2025.
