The Detroit Lions have been linked to Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson multiple times this offseason. Adding Hendrickson would be an “all-in” trade for the Lions to bolster their pass rush in 2025. But there’s another far less expensive edge rusher move the Lions could make — Za’Darius Smith.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox argued Saturday the Lions should pursue bringing back the veteran edge rusher.
“While Detroit allowed Smith to walk early this offseason, they should strongly consider bringing him back now,” Knox wrote. “The Lions did little to bolster their pass rush aside from re-signing Marcus Davenport, and Smith is probably the best complement to Aidan Hutchinson that they’re going to find this late in the offseason—barring a trade for a player like Trey Hendrickson.”
Smith posted four sacks along with 12 combined tackles, three tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits and one pass defense in eight games with the Lions last season. Detroit acquired Smith from the Cleveland Browns at the NFL trade deadline.
This offseason, the Lions released Smith before his $2 million roster bonus was due in March. Detroit also saved $5 million against the 2o25 salary cap with the move.
Smith made second-team All-Pro while registering 12.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and 23 quarterback hits in 2020.
Za’Darius Smith Wants to Return to Detroit Lions
Smith will turn 33 years old in September. Some players at that age try to leverage their veteran experience to receive one more big payday.
But that doesn’t appear to be Smith’s goal. He did his agent no service when he told USA Today’s Tyler Dragon in June that he was eyeing a return to Detroit.
“We both know where I want to be,” Za’Darius Smith told Dragon. “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.”
Smith stressed that in Detroit, he could help Aidan Hutchinson continue to develop into a star. The veteran edge rusher added Hutchinson will help him get better even at his age.
Finally, Smith emphasized how much pursuing a championship is important to him. That desire is pretty much the cherry on top of the Smith-Lions fit.
“I’m going into Year 11. As a veteran (a championship) is the only thing that I’m missing,” Smith said. “I did the sacks, All-Pro, Pro Bowl, so it’s really just me getting a ring now and winning a championship.”
What Could the Lions Be Willing to Pay Smith?
The fit is rather obvious. What kind of contract the Lions might be willing to offer Smith isn’t.
Detroit released Smith to save just a few million, though, so it’s not a stretch to say the Lions aren’t going to be willing to pay the veteran edge rusher a lot. Last offseason, Smith signed a two-year, $23 million deal with the Browns.
Smith came into the league as a fourth-round pick for the Baltimore Ravens in 2015. After four seasons in Baltimore, he agreed to a four-year, $66 million deal with the Green Bay Packers. He didn’t complete that contract, but Smith signed another big deal, a three-year, $42 million contract, with the Minnesota Vikings ahead of 2022.
Smith won’t get anything close to that from the Lions or anyone else. He might have to agree to a deal close to the league minimum for Detroit to be interested.
In addition to the Lions, Knox named the Ravens a logical landing spot for Smith. In four seasons with Baltimore, Smith posted 18.5 sacks and 24 tackles for loss.
Over 10 years, Smith has registered 69 sacks, 85 tackles for loss and 173 quarterback hits.
If his conversation with Dragon is any indication, Smith might accept a discounted offer to return to Detroit.
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