Lions Would Be Wise to Bring Back Beloved Player

The Detroit Lions have a little time left before preparations for the new season really take hold, and time is of the essence if they want to have a shot at getting to the big game. While the Lions are often talked about as one of the strongest teams in the team, considering that they have a totally different coaching staff this year, there are a lot of question marks about what’s actually going to happen.

One position that many would love to see the Lions fill is signing in an edge to support Aidan Hutchinson. There’s one guy who totally fits the bill, but time will tell if he signs on the dotted line with the Motor City.

Aidan Hutchinson Could Use Some Pass Rusher Support

Brad Holmes hasn’t expressed a lot of interest in adding more depth to the edge position, but it’s certainly a hole in the lineup. When Hutchinson was out last season, Holmes had to scurry to find an apt replacement, and he found one in Za’Darius Smith.

In a June 26 feature for ESPN, Aaron Schatz names one last move each team should make before the season starts. “I’ve suggested one final move for each NFL team — something they can take care of in late June or early July that will put them in a better situation for the 2025 season and/or beyond that,” he states in the piece.

It should be no surprise to anyone, literally, that the move he suggests is to bring Smith back to Detroit.

GettyZa’Darius Smith #99 of the Detroit Lions.

“Yes, Aidan Hutchinson will be back from his tibia/fibula injury, but there still are questions about the edge rusher depth in Detroit,” Schatz states in the feature. “It was a surprise when the Lions didn’t draft an edge rusher until Boise State’s Ahmed Hassanein in the sixth round. So why not bring back a veteran who wants to be there?”

He Wants to Be Back With the Detroit Lions

Smith 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.”

Lions followers grew to love Smith when he became part of the team in 2024, following not just Hutchinson’s injury but the Lions’ rash of injuries on their defensive squad. Smith clocked four sacks, three tackles for loss and 10 quarterback hits in his eight games with the Detroit Lions.

Smith was a big part of the team being able to still get to the playoffs without Hutchinson. He’s earned the right to come back and it would be a wise move, but time will tell if Holmes makes the move.

One more thing that would make Smith a great player to bring back to Detroit is the idea of seeing him with Hutchinson. They would make for an unbeatable duo, and that’s exactly what the Lions need during this very different season.