Za'Darius Smith has not been shy about his desire to keep playing for the Detroit Lions in 2025.
The former pass rusher, who the team traded for in the middle of their 2024 season from the Cleveland Browns, told reporters during the BET Awards that he wants to "get back to Detroit" this offseason on a new deal.
“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. Hopefully I can get back to where I want to be in Detroit.”
Now, general manager Brad Holmes has thrown his own two cents into the ring on the topic of re-signing Smith, telling 97.1 The Ticket that signing Smith is absolutely still on the table.
“We said we’re gonna keep in contact…sometimes it takes a while for things to get on the same page...There’s obviously still interest there and we’ve been keeping in touch."
Lions still interested in adding Za'Darius Smith back to defensive line
Smith had a very solid showing in 2024 for Detroit, providing four sacks, 12 total tackles, and one defended pass in just eight games played with the team. He was the perfect replacement to Aidan Hutchinson as he provided the pass rush necessary for Detroit's defense to stay afloat in his absence.
With Hutchinson back, there's been questions about how the Lions can continue to add to their pass rush to support him if he wasn't 100% to begin the year. While that's a valid concern, reports seem to indicate that Hutchinson looks even better than he did to start 2024. That means Detroit can be a bit pickier about who they go and get to add to their pass rush.
That's especially the case considering how well Marcus Davenport has reportedly been doing in training camp, and with rookie Ahmed Hassanein showing out in the Lions' first preseason game of the year.
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Smith and Holmes are likely to continue their tit for tat negotiations until the very last minute. With the defensive line shaping up to be pretty solid despite a major injury to Alim McNeil, Smith's services aren't necessarily a do or die for the Lions' defense - but he'd be an excellent depth piece for the room.