By Blessing 
A Detroit Lions Free Agent Spotted in the Motor City with Rapper Girlfriend: What Does This Mean?
When you head to a Detroit sports event, you never know which big names you might see. Back in November 2024, pop sensation Iggy Azalea made an unexpected appearance at a Detroit Pistons game and even received an official 313 jersey. It was a moment that raised some eyebrows. Now, another Detroit surprise has caught everyone’s attention: a Detroit Lions free agent was recently spotted at a Pistons game, and this time, he wasn’t alone. He was with his girlfriend—none other than famous Detroit rapper, Kash Doll. Could this be a sign of something bigger, like a potential return to Detroit for the player? Stranger things have happened.
Za’Darius Smith: A Heartfelt Departure and a Possible Return?
It was a tough pill to swallow for many Lions fans when Detroit let go of their star defensive lineman, Za’Darius Smith. He’s undeniably one of the best defensive players in the league, but the Lions made the decision to part ways with him in order to save $5.7 million in cap space. This, despite the fact that the Lions have over $42 million in cap space. It left fans scratching their heads.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes explained the situation during the annual NFL Owners Meetings, saying, “We couldn’t afford it. That’s the bottom line. That was my communication with him and he understood that.” Holmes went on to explain, “But we just weren’t in a position to really keep him at his salary, because look, he played some good snaps for us and he made plays for us when we acquired him, so we would have loved to be able to keep him, but we just weren’t able to. But we’ve been keeping in touch with his agent, and he understands that process, so we’ll just see how it goes.”
While this wasn’t the most satisfying explanation, the fact that Smith’s departure wasn’t due to his performance has led many analysts, experts, and fans to wonder whether his time in Detroit is truly over. Could there be a chance for a return?
A Detroit Love Story? Za’Darius Smith and Kash Doll at the Pistons Game
Fast forward to April 11, 2025, and the spotlight shines once again on Smith, but this time for a different reason. He was spotted sitting courtside at a Detroit Pistons game, and he wasn’t alone. He was there with none other than rapper Kash Doll, a proud Detroit native. While the Pistons unfortunately lost to the Bucks that night, the bigger story was about the cozy duo enjoying the game together.
Kory Woods of MLive shared a photo of Smith and Kash Doll, noting, “Ex-Lions defensive end Za’Darius Smith and native Detroit rapper Kash Doll at in attendance at LCA for tonight’s Pistons game.” The two looked comfortable and happy, sparking even more curiosity about their growing relationship.
Not long ago, rumors about the couple started circulating on social media after clips surfaced of them spending time together in Ghana. In one video, Smith had his hand on Kash’s shoulder in what seemed to be a club setting. The couple later posted some adorable photos together on their Instagram stories, officially making their relationship public. They’ve since become “Insta official,” as the younger generation likes to say, and fans are loving every bit of it.
What’s Next for Za’Darius Smith?
As fans continue to speculate about the future of this relationship, there’s still the matter of Smith’s career. Could his love life in Detroit be a signal that he’s considering a return to the Lions? Time will tell. The city has a way of drawing people back in, especially when there’s unfinished business—and Smith’s connection to Detroit, both on and off the field, is far from over.
It’s a story that continues to unfold, both on the court and in the city. Whether Smith re-signs with the Lions or not, his new chapter in Detroit is one to keep an eye on. For now, we’ll just have to wait and see what comes next for this unlikely power couple and what the future holds for Za’Darius Smith and his relationship with the Motor City.