By Blessing 
Can Someone Please Get This Defense a Pass Rusher?
The Detroit Lions are in the best shape they’ve been in for years—maybe even decades. And that’s not just hype. General manager Brad Holmes has constructed one of the most balanced, talented rosters in the NFL, and everything points toward this team continuing to rise. The offense is stacked, key players have been extended, the culture is solid, and for once, the national spotlight isn’t just hype—it’s real.
But as training camp approaches, one major need still hangs over the defense like a cloud. It’s not a secret, and you don’t need a front office title to spot it. The Lions are still missing a true edge rusher to line up opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
Whether you call it edge depth, defensive end help, or a running mate for Hutchinson, it’s a clear need. And CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards put that need right at the center of his recent review of each NFC team’s biggest concern heading into camp.
His explanation is as clear as it gets. The Lions parted ways with Za’Darius Smith this offseason, and Hutchinson is still on the comeback trail after breaking his leg last year. Behind them, the pass-rush cupboard is thin. The only other names with real experience are Marcus Davenport and Josh Paschal, but both carry significant question marks. As Edwards pointed out:
“Edge rusher was also given a lot of thought. Detroit moved on from Za’Darius Smith after acquiring him midseason, and Aidan Hutchinson is returning from a serious knee injury. The other pass rushers on the roster are Marcus Davenport and Josh Paschal. Davenport has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career and Paschal has been more of a stable run defender than one capable of providing explosiveness off the edge while also dealing with his own injuries.”
The Lions traded for Smith at last year’s deadline because they had no choice. Hutchinson was hurt, the backups weren’t cutting it, and Detroit needed someone who could pressure the quarterback. Smith delivered exactly that—he logged four sacks in just eight games and instantly added veteran leadership to a young defense. That total tied him for second on the team in sacks, even though he didn’t join until November. That says a lot.
Detroit released him in March to free up cap space—a move that made sense then. But now that Smith remains unsigned this deep into the offseason, the situation feels like a gift sitting under the tree. One the Lions should absolutely unwrap.
Smith has already expressed interest in coming back. The coaching staff would almost certainly be glad to welcome him back into the fold. He understands the scheme, proved he could still perform, and has the experience and explosiveness to support Hutchinson and lighten the load on new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard.
Bringing back Za’Darius Smith feels like the obvious move. Hutchinson is working his way back from a major injury, and the rest of the edge group is either unreliable or unproven. The defense is close to being ready—but this gap isn’t going to fill itself.
The answer is right there. The Lions have more than $40 million in cap space. All that’s left is to pick up the phone.