The Detroit Lions have the luxury of having one of the best rosters in the NFL.
The team was able to keep almost all of their contributors from 2024 around, so naturally, many expect the team to compete for the Super Bowl in 2025. However, there is one area of the team that could use some reinforcements- the pass rush.
Star edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson went down with a season-ending injury in Week 6 last year. Even still, Hutchinson ended the season as the team’s sack leader, proving that more help is needed behind the star.
Za’Darius Smith was added via trade mid-season, and the veteran had a nice run in Detroit. Smith ended with four sacks, which was the second-most on the team. Smith has had multiple seasons of double-digit sacks, so he has the potential to be a force.
However, the Lions chose to cut Smith this offseason in a cost-cutting move. That made the need for edge-rushers even more pressing, and the team hasn’t done much to address it.
As a result, Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report believes the team should re-sign Smith before the season begins. Regarding that potential move, Knox offered the following:
While it would be great to have a healthy Hutchinson in training camp and under contract long-term, Detroit should be looking for more at the position. The defense recorded just 37 sacks as a unit last season. Za’Darius Smith ranked second behind Hutchinson with only four.
The Lions released Smith this offseason. Bringing him back or acquiring another pass rusher via free agency or trade—Trey Hendrickson looms as a top trade target—would be wise.
Smith is a reliable veteran and likely wouldn’t cost much to bring back. Over the Cap projects the Lions to still have around $40 million in cap space, so the team could easily afford to bring Smith back into the fold.
Knox also floated the idea of the Lions trading for Trey Hendrickson. Hendrickson is one of the best pass-rushers in the league and would definitely be more impactful than Smith. However, the Lions may not want to part with the draft capital needed to acquire Hendrickson and give the veteran a massive extension.
Thus, Smith makes the most sense for the team right now. The veteran is familiar with the system and would get to play opposite Hutchinson, which he didn’t get to do last season. With most of the attention on Hutchinson, Smith could have an even better season.
