The Detroit Lions are getting ready for what will hopefully be another historic season for them in the best possible way. Right now, they have a pretty solid line, headed up by quarterback Jared Goff, but there are a few question marks in their roster.
The 2025-26 NFL season begins in September, and minicamp is set for July, so now is the calm before the storm, as they say. Of course, this will mark the Lions’ first season headed up by Dan Campbell without offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Johnson is with the Chicago Bears, which hurts, since they’re one of the Lions’ biggest rivals.
Now, it’s possible that Johnson will steal a former Lions player who is really just the kind of guy the team needs in 2025. Let’s cross our fingers that this doesn’t happen.
Star Edge Could End Up With Lions Rival
When it comes to the Detroit Lions’ pass rusher class, it could use some work. Aidan Hutchinson is one of the best pass rushers in the entire league, but he can’t do it alone, and he’s coming back off an injury. So, one of the biggest topics in the Lions’ camp right now is who the team can bring on for some help in this position.
When Hutchinson was out last season, Holmes had to work quickly to find an apt replacement and he got creative by bringing on Za’Darius Smith. As it turns out, Smith delivered, and he helped get the team to the postseason, even with all the injuries in the squad.
Smith wants to come back, took and recently told USA Today, “We both know where I want to be. Hopefully I can get back to Detroit because the coaching staff and everybody in the front office are great. When I’m there I feel like a leader and like I can influence the young guys and do great things. Hopefully I can get back to where I want to be in Detroit.”
But, Brad Holmes hasn’t moved on signing Smith, and Johnson may do it instead. In a July 3 piece for Bleacher Report, Matt Holder discusses the top defensive free agents and names Smith as one who could go to one of three teams: the Lions, Bears or Commanders.
Smith Has ‘Been Linked to the Bears’
In the piece, Holder says that Smith has “been linked to the Bears, via Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, so staying in the NFC North and reuniting with Ben Johnson is a possibility. With Dayo Odeyingbo taking the early-down responsibilities and sliding inside in passing situations, Smith would be a great complement on the edge with Montez Sweat.” That would hurt.
Thankfully, regarding the Lions, he also says, “Sometimes it’s just best to stay where you are. The Lions clearly got production out of Smith, whom they acquired in a midseason trade. He was just a salary-cap casualty this offseason.”
It would be great to see Smith back in Detroit the Lions, as ESPN’s Eric Woodyard notes, is schedule for “for five prime-time games in 2025, in addition to their annual Thanksgiving Day game, versus the Packers on Nov. 27, and a Christmas matchup at Minnesota on Dec. 25,” so the Motor City will be high profile this season.
