The Detroit Lions had one of their best seasons in franchise history in 2024, but their magical run ended too soon with a playoff loss to the Washington Commanders. Now, with 2025 on the horizon, there’s a growing push for the Lions to make one more key roster move before the season kicks off.
One name is starting to resurface: Za’Darius Smith.
After joining Detroit midseason via trade from the Browns, Smith gave the Lions a noticeable spark on defense. He finished with four sacks in just eight games, complementing Aidan Hutchinson and fitting right in with Dan Campbell’s aggressive mindset.
Tyler Dragon of USA Today thinks it’s a no-brainer to bring Smith back. “He’s at his best playing across from a dominant edge rusher,” Dragon noted, pointing out the obvious chemistry Smith had working opposite Hutchinson.
And the timing lines up—Hutchinson was recently cleared for football activities, so reinforcements on the edge could help keep him fresh and dominant. At 32, Smith is still producing and could be the perfect depth piece for a team looking to get over the hump and into the Super Bowl.
There’s no guarantee Detroit is interested in a reunion, but with injuries always a factor and the stakes getting higher, having a proven veteran like Smith back in the rotation might be the final piece of the puzzle.
Lions Urged to Reunite with Za’Darius Smith in Final Offseason Push
