Free agent pass rusher Za’Darius Smith made it very clear he wants to re-sign with Detroit Lions.
For those hoping the Detroit Lions bring back Za’Darius Smith for the 2025 season, you aren’t the only one. The veteran pass rusher said publicly this week that he wants to continue to play in Detroit this upcoming season.
“We both know where I want to be,” Smith told USA TODAY at the BET Awards. “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. Hopefully I can get back to where I want to be in Detroit.”
Last year, the Lions acquired Smith at the trade deadline after losing players like Derrick Barnes, Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, and John Cominsky to injury. Detroit sent a a 2025 fifth and 2026 sixth-round pick to the Browns for Smith and a 2026 seventh-round pick. Down the stretch, Smith provided a good amount of pass rush for Detroit. Smith tallied 4.0 sacks, three tackles for loss, and 36 pressures in eight game appearances for the Lions.
This offseason, Detroit opted to cut Smith in a cap-saving move. Lions general manager Brad Holmes said that purely an economic move, clearing out a total of $11 million in space over two seasons with no dead money on the books.
“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 when we acquired him, so we would have loved to (have) been able to keep him. We just weren’t able to.”
That said, Holmes has said he’s open to reunion, and that the team has remained in contact with Smith’s agent regarding a possible return. Holmes’ latest update suggests the ball is in the player’s court.
“I think we kind of left it as that his agent would let us know if something was going on or if anything has changed or if we have any updates,” Holmes said in April.
Another big reason Smith wants to return to Detroit is to accomplish the one thing missing from his impressive 10-year career: a Super Bowl ring.
“I’m going into Year 11. As a veteran, (a championship) is the only thing that I’m missing,” Smith said. “I did the sacks, All-Pro, Pro Bowl, so it’s really just me getting a ring now and winning a championship.”
