NFL veteran pass rusher Za’Darius Smith has sparked major buzz among Detroit Lions fans after publicly expressing interest in returning to the team. His comments came during an interview on the red carpet at the 2025 BET Awards, where Smith confidently said he would welcome a reunion with the Lions, citing the team’s culture, coaching staff, and front office as reasons he feels at home in Detroit.
“We both know where I want to be,” Smith said. “Hopefully I can get back to Detroit because the coaching staff and everybody in the front office are great. I feel like a leader there.”
Smith, 32, joined the Lions in 2024 and was a key contributor to their defensive line. Though his stint was short, he quickly became a respected voice in the locker room and added veteran leadership to one of the NFL’s most improved defenses. In 2024, he recorded 5.5 sacks, 9 tackles for loss, and helped anchor a unit that made a deep playoff run.
