By Sunday 
Sometimes, a player and a team just fit. And even when the business side of the NFL gets in the way, the bond doesn’t break easily. Just ask Za’Darius Smith, the veteran edge rusher who made his feelings crystal clear on the red carpet at the BET Awards: he wants back in Detroit.
“We Both Know Where I Want to Be”
There wasn’t a hint of hesitation when Smith spoke to USA TODAY this week:
“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’s more than lip service. Smith thrived in his short stint with the Lions after arriving in a midseason trade with the Browns, racking up 4 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, and 36 pressures in just eight games. He became an immediate veteran presence on a banged-up defensive line and brought real juice to the pass rush.
Why He’s Not in Honolulu Blue—For Now
Despite his impact, the Lions parted ways with Smith this offseason. The reason? Dollars, not performance. Cutting Smith cleared $11 million in cap space over two seasons, and GM Brad Holmes was candid about the financial math:
“We just weren’t in a position to keep him at his salary,” Holmes said. “Because look, he played some good snaps for us and he made plays for us… we would have loved to (have) been able to keep him. We just weren’t able to.”
Even so, Holmes didn’t close the door on a return. The front office has kept in touch with Smith’s agent, and the idea of a reunion clearly isn’t off the table.
More Than Football: Smith’s Leadership Impact
Smith isn’t just a sack machine—he’s a mentor. He made a strong impression as a locker room leader, something that clearly matters to him:
“When I’m there I feel like a leader and like I can influence the young guys and do great things.”
That’s a big deal for a Lions team that’s building around young stars like Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill. Leadership from a proven vet could make all the difference, especially in a playoff push.
One Last Goal: A Ring
Smith has checked a lot of boxes in his 10-year NFL career—Pro Bowls, All-Pro nods, double-digit sack seasons—but there’s still one thing left:
“I’m going into Year 11. As a veteran, (a championship) is the only thing that I’m missing. I did the sacks, All-Pro, Pro Bowl, so it’s really just me getting a ring now and winning a championship.”
And Detroit? With its rising roster and NFC title-game appearance, it might be one of the better places to chase that dream.
Will the Reunion Happen?
It’s unclear when—or if—the Lions will bring Smith back. But the interest is mutual. Smith wants Detroit. Detroit liked what Smith brought to the table. And fans? They’re already imagining him back in that Honolulu blue, terrorizing quarterbacks with Hutchinson again.
For now, we wait. But something tells us this story isn’t over just yet.