By Solomon 
The Detroit Lions let go of veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith earlier this offseason to free up cap space, and now it looks like he might stay in the NFC—but not in Detroit.
According to Pro Football Network, the Los Angeles Rams are the top contenders to sign Smith. It makes sense—the Rams lost pass rusher Michael Hoecht to the Buffalo Bills and need to beef up their defensive front for the 2025 season.
Smith had a solid 2024 campaign, playing for both the Browns and Lions. He racked up 35 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 17 quarterback hits, nine sacks, and even knocked down a pass. His ability to pressure the quarterback is well known, and adding him to a Rams defense that’s already strong in sacks could make them even more dangerous.
If the Rams bring him in, he’d be paired with 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse, creating a powerful one-two punch. Verse’s speed and explosiveness combined with Smith’s experience and strength could cause major headaches for opposing offensive lines.
As for the Lions, letting Smith go wasn’t a shocker. He had an $11 million price tag, and Detroit is focused on long-term financial flexibility. GM Brad Holmes made it clear it was purely a business decision, saying, “We couldn’t afford it. That’s the bottom line.”