The door isn’t shut just yet on Za’Darius Smith returning to the Detroit Lions, and the front office might be exploring how to make it happen. After acquiring the veteran pass rusher at last year’s trade deadline, GM Brad Holmes acknowledged the team couldn’t bring him back at his current cap hit—but talks with Smith’s camp are reportedly still ongoing.
Smith, 32, proved he still had juice, but his contract situation made it tough to keep him on the roster. With Detroit handing out short-term deals to guys like Marcus Davenport and Levi Onwuzurike, any potential Smith return would likely follow the same format: a one-year contract in the $4–5 million range with around $2 million guaranteed and some performance incentives tacked on.
The Lions clearly value depth and experience up front, but with the 2025 NFL Draft packed with edge talent, they’re not in a rush. Still, don’t count out a late offseason reunion if the price is right.
Could the Lions Still Work Out a Deal With Za’Darius Smith?
