Za’Darius Smith isn’t done yet—and he wants another shot at a ring with the Detroit Lions.
After a solid 2024 season split between the Browns and Lions, Smith is eyeing a return to Detroit. According to reports, the veteran edge rusher wants to rejoin the squad and chase a championship alongside star defender Aidan Hutchinson. The two briefly teamed up last season after Hutchinson went down, and Smith proved he still has gas in the tank, tallying 35 tackles and 9 sacks in 16 starts.
The problem? Smith had one year left on his deal with the Browns before he was traded, and Detroit couldn’t afford to keep him on that contract. Now that he’s a free agent, the Lions could bring him back on a cheaper, short-term deal—but they’re not the only team interested.
The Ravens and Chargers are sniffing around.
Baltimore badly needs help on the edge after losing both Patrick Queen and Jadeveon Clowney. Their younger core—Trenton Simpson, Odafe Oweh, and David Ojabo—has potential, but they need a seasoned vet like Smith to anchor the group and bring some much-needed consistency. With Michael Pierce retiring and no major defensive signings this offseason, Smith could be a smart, stabilizing piece in their trenches.
Out west, the Chargers might make a run too. Head coach Jim Harbaugh is building a smashmouth defense, but with Poona Ford and Morgan Fox gone, the depth is thin. Khalil Mack is still a force, but he can’t carry the load alone. A guy like Smith fits the old-school, physical mold Harbaugh wants and could be a great complementary piece on the edge.
Detroit remains the sentimental—and possibly logical—choice if the money lines up. But the competition is real.
Will the Lions find a way to bring him back, or will Smith be suiting up in purple or powder blue this fall?
Za’Darius Smith Wants a Lions Reunion—But Ravens and Chargers May Crash the Party
