Za’Darius Smith only played in Detroit for two months last season, but he quickly bought into Dan Campbell ‘s culture and is seeking a return to the Lions in 2025.
“We both know where I want to be,” said Smith at the BET Awards on Monday (via USA Today’s Tyler Dragon
). “Hopefully I can get back to Detroit because the coaching staff and everybody in the front office are great.”
The Lions were in desperate need of pass-rushing help at last year’s trade deadline after injuries to Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill , so they sent a pair of Day 3 picks to Cleveland for Smith , who started the season with 5.0 sacks in nine games. The 10-year veteran posted 4.0 sacks across his nine games in Detroit and was released in March .
The two sides remained in touch through the first few waves of free agency signings, but by mid-April, Lions general manager Brad Holmes indicated that communication had ceased . The team re-signed veteran edge rushers Marcus Davenport and Al-Quadin Muhammad , but neither has been as productive in Smith in recent years. He has logged 9.0 sacks in each of the last two seasons, more than any Lion outside of Hutchinson.
Smith has been durable, too. He’s started at least 16 games in each of the last three seasons and five of the last six, and in 2024, he had a snap share over 50% in 14 of his 17 appearances. Accordingly, the 32-year-old believes his age is more of an asset than a liability.
“When I’m there I feel like a leader and like I can influence the young guys and do great things,” continued Smith before repeating, “Hopefully I can get back to where I want to be in Detroit.”
Smith also made it clear that he is focused on winning a Super Bowl before he retires. Returning to the Lions could be a way to accomplish that, but money could be a barrier after a strong market for edge rushers this offseason. Smith might have to accept a team-friendly deal to land in his desired destination in 2025.