The Detroit Lions have made it clear they want more than just another playoff run in 2025. But with camp already underway, one key area still feels light, and the solution might be sitting in plain sight.
Should the Lions Reunite With a Proven Veteran To Bolster Their Defensive Line?
Injuries have a way of accelerating decisions. Just days into camp, Detroit lost Levi Onwuzurike to a season-ending ACL tear. While Alim McNeill is working his way back from injury, there’s a real question about whether this defensive line has the depth to keep up with championship aspirations.
Enter 2020 Second-team All-Pro Za’Darius Smith, a player who knows the system, delivered results last year, and according to For The Win’s Cory Woodroof, could be exactly what the Lions need right now.
“Smith played well for the Lions last season after being traded there from the Cleveland Browns, and it just makes too much sense for these two sides to get back together,” Woodroof predicted. He called Smith the “perfect rotational piece” for a Detroit defense trying to push for a title.
Smith logged nine sacks and 63 total pressures in 2024, including four sacks in eight games with the Lions. That kind of output isn’t easy to replace, especially when your depth chart is paper-thin.
The numbers tell the story of Detroit’s current limitations. D.J. Reader had just 20 pressures last year. Roy Lopez managed 18. Tyleik Williams hasn’t played a snap yet and isn’t a proven pass rusher. Before Onwuzurike’s injury, the Lions might have been able to get by with their current edge options if the interior pressure from Onwuzurike and McNeill held up. Now, they clearly need outside help to stabilize the pass rush.
Bringing Smith back would offer instant relief, and Detroit wouldn’t have to guess what he brings to the table.
Is Za’Darius Smith the Best Pass-Rush Option Left for the Lions?
Smith’s interest in returning to Detroit has been reported, and a reunion wouldn’t be financially unrealistic. Von Miller just signed a deal with the Commanders worth $6.1 million, with incentives pushing it to $10.5 million, giving Detroit a rough idea of what a Smith contract might look like.
The Lions have said all offseason they’re chasing more than just momentum. They want to finish what they started. With Onwuzurike out and McNeill questionable, another experienced pass rusher is less of a luxury and more of a necessity.
Of all the names left on the board, Smith is the one who fits. He’s been there, done that, and most importantly, still has gas in the tank.
