By Sunday 
The Snack Table—and the Sack Table—Both Miss Him
You know how sometimes, after a breakup, you start reminiscing—not about the late-night fights or the mismatched Spotify tastes, but about how your ex always brought the best snacks to the party? That’s kind of where the Detroit Lions are right now with Za’Darius Smith.
The Lions are entering a pivotal new season, one with fresh coaching faces and sky-high expectations. Yet while the buzz is about their potential, there’s one slightly awkward truth hovering over the locker room: the edge rush depth is… well, a little crinkly.
And with Aidan Hutchinson still healing from his tibia/fibula injury (yes, that still hurts to read), the idea of bringing Smith back isn’t just sentimental—it’s smart.
Why Smith Makes Sense (and Sensei-Level Snacks Help Too)
During Hutchinson’s absence last year, Detroit needed someone to step in and wreck opposing quarterbacks without wrecking the team chemistry. Enter Za’Darius Smith, a seasoned pass rusher who didn’t just fill the role—he owned it.
In just eight games, Smith logged:
- 4 sacks
- 3 tackles for loss
- 10 QB hits
He didn’t just perform. He showed up, showed out, and somehow became that guy everyone rooted for. Like the friend who only joins the group project halfway through but still ends up doing all the cool design slides.
“We Both Know Where I Want to Be”
Smith himself isn’t being subtle about his feelings either. In a recent interview with USA Today, he made it crystal clear:
“We both know where I want to be… Hopefully I can get back to Detroit because the coaching staff and everybody in the front office are great. When I’m there I feel like a leader and like I can influence the young guys and do great things.”
That doesn’t sound like a player who’s moved on. That sounds like a guy who still knows where the remote is kept at the old house.
Brad Holmes, Are You Reading This?
Lions GM Brad Holmes has been surprisingly chill about the whole edge rusher situation. Despite fans nervously chewing their fingernails and ESPN’s Aaron Schatz politely (but firmly) suggesting a reunion with Smith, there hasn’t been much movement. Schatz wrote:
“Yes, Aidan Hutchinson will be back… but there still are questions about the edge rusher depth… So why not bring back a veteran who wants to be there?”
Why not, indeed?
Hutchinson + Smith = Chaos for QBs
If Smith returns, it’s not just about plugging a hole—it’s about turning that edge into a weapon. A healthy Hutchinson paired with a fired-up Smith? That’s not just a pass rush, that’s a quarterback’s nightmare with a side of Gatorade.
They’d bring veteran skill, relentless pressure, and locker-room leadership—a triple threat that could elevate Detroit’s entire defensive identity in a year full of change.
The Final Word: Bring Him Home
Smith wants to be back. The Lions could use him. The fans still have his jersey. And let’s face it—there’s something poetic about a reunion that feels right.
Plus, the man brings the best snacks.
Don’t underestimate how much that matters in a long season.