Despite being released ahead of free agency, veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith continues to be linked to the Detroit Lions. General manager Brad Holmes acknowledged during the NFL’s annual league meetings that the door remained open for Smith’s return, contingent on the right financial terms.
Smith himself expressed a strong desire to rejoin the Lions during a brief conversation with USA Today at the BET Awards. Yet, with training camps looming, Detroit has yet to finalize any agreement to bring him back into the fold.
Given the lack of movement, some analysts suggest Smith could land elsewhere—and potentially with a rival. NFL writer Kristopher Knox recently pointed to the Chicago Bears as a logical destination. He highlighted the team’s need for veteran help along the edge, especially under new head coach Ben Johnson, who previously served as Detroit’s offensive coordinator.
Knox argued that Chicago could significantly benefit from someone of Smith’s caliber, especially given the uncertainty in their pass-rushing depth chart. While the Bears have added Dayo Odeyingbo to support Montez Sweat, the rotation remains thin beyond that duo.
“There’s a clear need for more depth on the edge,” Knox wrote. “Veterans like Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, and Von Miller are still on the market, and bringing one in before camp begins would be a smart move.”
Interestingly, Smith has already suited up for three of the NFC North’s four franchises. Chicago is the lone team in the division he has yet to represent.
In the 2023 season, Smith notched nine sacks across 17 appearances. After starting the year with the Cleveland Browns, he was traded to the Lions midseason, where he recorded four sacks in just eight games.
Despite outside concerns about Detroit’s pass rush, Holmes recently reaffirmed his confidence in the current group during a podcast interview, maintaining that the team is well-positioned at defensive end even without adding another big-name player alongside Aidan Hutchinson.
