Could Za’Darius Smith Be the Next Lion to Head to New England?
The Detroit Lions didn’t really get gutted this offseason, but one name they’ll definitely miss is cornerback Carlton Davis. He came over from Tampa last year and made an immediate impact before a broken jaw cut his season short. Even so, he played well enough to earn a fat three-year, $54 million deal with the Patriots.
Detroit tried to patch the hole by bringing in DJ Reed, but another key defender might be on the verge of joining Davis in Foxborough—none other than edge rusher Za’Darius Smith.
Smith landed in Detroit midseason via trade from the Browns after he publicly asked out of Cleveland. In just eight games, he racked up four sacks and 36 pressures. Pretty solid, right? So naturally, most fans figured he’d be back. But instead of picking up a $2 million roster bonus for Smith, the Lions handed a $2.5 million deal to Marcus Davenport, a guy who’s struggled to stay healthy.
The door’s not totally closed on Smith returning—he’s still hanging around the Detroit area—but it’s clear money talks with him. And Detroit hasn’t exactly been shouting.
Smith’s got a history when it comes to chasing the bag. He left the Ravens for a $66 million payday with the Packers in 2019, had two big years, then a back injury and contract beef basically ended that chapter. Same story in Minnesota: solid production, more contract drama, then off to Cleveland, and now… maybe another move?
If there’s one team with the cap space and need to grab him, it’s the Patriots. They’ve already spent over $360 million this offseason but still have $67.3 million burning a hole in their pocket. They added Harold Landry already, but they could use more juice opposite him. Anfernee Jennings had just 2.5 sacks last season—not exactly terrifying.
Odds are, Smith stays in Detroit. But history says he’ll follow the money. And if the Pats make the right offer, he just might be suiting up in red, white, and blue with Carlton Davis soon.
Another Lion on the Loose? Detroit Defender Might Be Headed to New England
