In Detroit, the air is thick with optimism. A franchise long synonymous with heartbreak now enters the 2025 season with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. Yet, amid the excitement, a conspicuous absence lingers: Za’Darius Smith, the veteran edge rusher who became both a locker-room voice and a disruptive presence on the field, remains unsigned. For a team that prides itself on grit and relentless pressure, the decision not to re-sign Smith raises questions about priorities, timing, and the fine line between sentiment and strategy in the modern NFL.
Background Information: Smith’s Arrival in Detroit
Smith wasn’t part of Detroit’s original 2024 roster. Instead, he arrived via a midseason trade with Cleveland, brought in after Aidan Hutchinson suffered a lower-body injury that sidelined him for most of the year. The Lions, firmly in the playoff hunt, needed immediate pass-rush help—and Smith delivered.
Despite joining the team late, he made his presence felt: 3.5 sacks, 31 pressures, and 6 tackles for loss in just nine games with Detroit. Those numbers, while modest on paper, were critical given the timing. He consistently drew protection that otherwise would have overwhelmed Detroit’s patchwork front.
| 2024 Stats (DET only) | Games Played | Sacks | Pressures | Tackles for Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Za’Darius Smith | 9 | 3.5 | 31 | 6 |
More than statistics, Smith gave the defense a stabilizing veteran presence during a chaotic stretch. His arrival coincided with Detroit’s best defensive run of the year and helped carry them to the NFC Championship Game.
Current Team Needs: Building Around Hutchinson
Smith’s signing addressed a glaring weakness in 2024: a pass rush gutted by Hutchinson’s injury. With Hutchinson back healthy in 2025, the Lions’ calculus has changed. He remains the centerpiece—a budding superstar and Defensive Player of the Year candidate when healthy.
Around him, the Lions resigned Marcus Davenport and Al-Quadin Muhammad as cost-effective rotational pieces. They also leaned into youth, drafting Egyptian prospect Ahmed Hassanein (now out for an extended time due to injury) and giving undrafted rookie Nate Lynn extended preseason reps. Lynn, in particular, has been a revelation, leading the team in preseason pressures.
Still, Smith’s absence creates risk. While Hutchinson commands double-teams, Detroit lacks a proven secondary threat. Smith excelled in that role in Cleveland; his ability to punish protections tilted toward Myles Garrett made Cleveland’s defense far more dynamic. Without him, Detroit is betting on unproven players to shoulder the load.
Contractual Considerations: Dollars and Sense
The Lions’ decision is as much about dollars as defense. By releasing Smith in March, they avoided paying a $7 million roster bonus that would have locked them into roughly $11 million in cap commitments over two seasons. Instead, Detroit used the savings to bolster depth across the roster.
Here’s how the edge-rusher financials stand in 2025:
| Player | 2025 Cap Hit | Years Remaining | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aidan Hutchinson | $11.4M | 2 | Rookie deal, extension looming |
| Marcus Davenport | $4.1M | 1 | Incentive-heavy contract |
| Al-Quadin Muhammad | $1.2M | 1 | Veteran depth |
| Za’Darius Smith | — | FA | Would have cost $7–8M (min) |
General manager Brad Holmes prioritized flexibility. With extensions looming for Hutchinson and possibly Jameson Williams, committing big money to a 32-year-old pass rusher didn’t align with Detroit’s long-term strategy.
Injury History: A Risk Factor
Smith’s age and health also factored into the decision. He missed most of the 2021 season with a back injury and has battled smaller ailments since. Though he held up well in Detroit, the Lions must consider whether his durability can sustain another heavy workload.
The contrast with Hutchinson is stark: Detroit’s defensive future is built on the 24-year-old star. Investing heavily in Smith, while Hutchinson’s extension looms, could have compromised roster balance.
Comparative Analysis: Lessons Around the League
Detroit’s caution is hardly unique. The Minnesota Vikings moved on from Danielle Hunter before age 30, while the Patriots under Bill Belichick made a dynasty out of letting go of veterans “a year early, not a year late.”
On the flip side, Buffalo doubled down on Von Miller at 33, a gamble that paid short-term dividends but strained their cap when injuries hit. The Lions, in contrast, have chosen discipline over sentiment, hoping their young depth steps up without the need for a pricey veteran safety net.
Fan Reactions: A Divided Base
The move has sparked debate across Detroit. Many fans recall how Smith’s midseason arrival steadied the defense in Hutchinson’s absence and argue he’s earned another year.
“Pay the man. He saved our season last year,” one fan posted on Reddit.
Others side with the front office: “Smith was clutch, but this is about keeping the window open. We need Hutch locked up long-term.”
Sports radio chatter has echoed this divide. Analysts have floated the possibility of a one-year, incentive-heavy reunion, but as of mid-August, no deal has materialized.
Future Implications: What’s Next?
For Smith, the market remains open. He has publicly stated his desire to return to Detroit, telling NFL.com in June, “Hopefully I can get back here – it feels like home.” Yet the Lions seem content to wait.
That patience may prove wise. If Hutchinson stays healthy and the young depth develops, the Lions’ defense should be formidable. But if injuries strike again—or if January arrives with Hutchinson gassed from constant double-teams—Detroit may regret not keeping its midseason savior.
For Smith, the clock is ticking. A late signing after Week 1 (when veteran contracts are no longer fully guaranteed) remains a possibility.
Conclusion
The Lions’ choice not to re-sign Za’Darius Smith reveals both their confidence and their caution. Smith’s midseason arrival in 2024 was vital, somewhat rescuing a pass rush crippled by Hutchinson’s injury and helping propel Detroit into the postseason. Yet in 2025, the front office has prioritized cap discipline, youth development, and long-term planning.
Smith was more than just a player; he was a stabilizer in a season of chaos. His absence leaves a void that only time—and Detroit’s young edge rushers—can hope to fill.
In the unforgiving calculus of the NFL, timing matters as much as talent. For Smith and the Lions, 2025 may prove whether Detroit was shrewd in letting go—or shortsighted in undervaluing the man who once kept their championship dreams alive.