The Detroit Lions may want to give a familiar face another shot on the edge.
After losing a key defensive piece to injury last season, Detroit brought in veteran pass rusher Za’Darius Smith as a quick fix—and he didn’t disappoint. Now, with Aidan Hutchinson healthy and gearing up for a big year, some analysts believe Smith could still play a major role in helping the Lions’ defense reach the next level.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox is calling for Detroit to re-sign Smith, who was cut earlier this offseason in a move to save cap space. The Lions struggled to pressure the quarterback last year, recording just 37 sacks total. Smith actually ranked second on the team in sacks with four in just eight games. Not bad for a midseason pickup.
Knox isn’t alone. ESPN’s Matt Bowen also sees a return for Smith as a logical move, especially since Detroit didn’t add much edge help in the 2025 NFL Draft. Rookie Ahmed Hassanein might be promising, but Detroit still needs experienced depth.
Smith was solid down the stretch, with 20 pressures to go along with his sacks, often lining up inside to create mismatches. And with new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard taking over, Smith’s versatility could be a real asset.
Detroit has struggled to find a long-term complement to Hutchinson. James Houston flashed early in his career but couldn’t stay on the field, and the Lions let him go last November. Reuniting with Smith could be a low-risk, high-reward move as the team eyes another deep playoff run.
Bring Him Back: Za’Darius Smith Could Be Key to Unlocking Lions’ Pass Rush
