The Detroit Lions appear to be on the verge of reuniting with pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith, as the veteran edge defender’s latest comments have all but confirmed a return to Motown is in the works.
The Smoke Before the Fire
Smith, who spent 2023 with the Lions before a one-year stint in Cleveland, has been dropping not-so-subtle hints about a Detroit reunion. In a recent interview, he called his time with the Lions “one of the best locker rooms I’ve been part of” and praised Dan Campbell’s culture—twice.
When asked about his free agency plans, Smith smirked and said:
“I know where I wanna be. And I think they know, too.”
Why This Makes Too Much Sense
– Familiarity: Smith thrived in Detroit’s system in 2023 (5.5 sacks, 15 QB hits).
– Need: With Hutchinson returning from injury, adding Smith ensures no drop-off in pass-rush production.
– Leadership: A respected voice in the locker room, especially for young defenders like Josh Paschal and James Houston.
What’s Next?
A deal could be finalized as early as this week, per league sources. Terms are likely a 1-year, incentive-heavy contract—similar to last year’s structure.
Bottom Line:
The Lions are closing the loop on a key piece of their 2023 playoff run. If Smith’s return is indeed imminent, Detroit’s D-line just got a whole lot scarier.
He called Detroit ‘one of the best locker rooms’ he’s been in…
Now Za’Darius Smith appears READY to run it back with the Lions 🚀
