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.
