A closer look showed it was patently unpalatable for the Detroit Lions to keep Za'Darius Smith as his contract was structured, with nearly $9 million in bonuses coming his way on the third day of the 2025 league year. It also seems a contract restructure/pay cut was not able to be worked out, as the veteran edge rusher was released just before free agency started.
Being able to clear $5.7million in cap space by cutting Smith, with no dead money left behind, was a clear-cut move to make in that respect.
However, it's worth questioning what the Lions have subsequently done to fill their need at edge rusher. Re-signing Marcus Davenport is the headliner move to this point, which says it all amid some other lower-level re-signings. There seems to be a total deference to a deep draft class at edge rusher to more notably fill the need.
If it was a one or the other choice between Smith and Davenport, there's a solid argument the Lions made the wrong choice.
Smith remains available as the third week of free agency approaches, so it's been easy to wonder about the possibility he could come back to the Lions. It would tilt toward unlikely if the reason for his release was rooted in being asked to take a pay cut, But if he's not finding what he expected on the open market, the door to come back is theoretically open.
Description of Za'Darius Smith only further proves Lions were foolish to let him go
ESPN's Matt Bowen (subscription required) recently ranked the best remaining available NFL free agents. Smith came in at No. 12 on the list of 23 players, and here's what Bowen wrote about him.
"Last season -- with both the Browns and Lions -- Smith had nine sacks and 38 pressures. He's a speed-to-power rusher who can also align as a standup nose or 3-technique to get interior one-on-ones. Smith could help a contender looking for a rotational edge with scheme versatility."
"A speed-to-power rusher" who is, let's sum it up as alignment/scheme-versatile and "could help a contender looking for a rotational edge."
Can you think of a contender who could use a player like that? Someone who has played 33 games over the last two seasons, compared to Davenport's six?
Again, there were likely some extra layers involved in the Lions releasing Smith. The horribly-structured contract the Browns did as a barrier to an easier restructuring is one. His past apparent reluctance to take pay cuts is another. It's also possible he asked to be released, and a contract restructure/pay cut was never discussed.
The Lions have sat on their hands to add a proven edge rusher who can stay on the field, after having one in their midst they didn't necessarily have to let go. Maybe time proves them correct or there's a plan that has yet to be revealed, but letting Smith go is looking more and more foolish.