The Detroit Lions may not be done with Za’Darius Smith just yet. After acquiring him at last season’s trade deadline, the veteran pass rusher is now a free agent. But with Smith taking his time in free agency, some believe the Lions could be waiting for the right moment to bring him back.
Colton Pouncy of The Athletic noted that Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler at 32, might not need a full offseason program and could be holding out for the right situation—similar to how the Lions landed C.J. Gardner-Johnson last year when his market didn’t develop as expected.
Detroit could use the help. Smith made an impact with four sacks in seven games last season, stepping up after Aidan Hutchinson suffered a season-ending injury. With edge depth still a concern, general manager Brad Holmes may look to reinforce the position through the draft. Pouncy hinted that Holmes could even trade up for a top pass rusher.
If the Lions go that route, Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. could be a name to watch. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound pass rusher ran a 4.5-second 40-yard dash and was dominant in the SEC last season. But with Smith still available, Detroit may have a backup plan if the draft doesn’t go their way.
Lions Exploring Move to Bring Back Former Pro Bowl Pass Rusher
