The Za’Darius Smith revenge tour might not be over just yet—and if he has his way, his next stop will be a familiar one.
Despite being released by the Lions earlier this offseason, Smith is openly campaigning for a return to Detroit. During a recent interview at the 2025 BET Awards, the veteran pass rusher made it crystal clear: he wants to be back with the Lions.
“We both know where I want to be,” Smith told USA Today. “Hopefully I can get back to Detroit because the coaching staff and everybody in the front office are great… I feel like a leader there.”
Smith was a midseason pickup for the Lions last year and delivered solid production with four sacks in just eight games. He brought experience, leadership, and a much-needed boost after Aidan Hutchinson went down. Now, with Hutchinson healthy but no clear partner opposite him, bringing Smith back feels like a no-brainer.
At 33, Smith still has gas in the tank. He totaled nine sacks and 67 pressures in 17 games last season between Detroit and Cleveland. For a Lions team trying to three-peat in the NFC North, there’s not much downside to bringing him back.
Packers fans might want to brace themselves. Smith already had one “revenge” moment against Green Bay—and it looks like he’s hungry for more.
The Unfinished Business Between Za’Darius Smith and the Green Bay Packers
