Za'Darius Smith, Lions
Getty
Former Detroit Lions defensive end Za'Darius Smith.
The Detroit Lions were at least considering a reunion with defensive end Za’Darius Smith as recently as last month, but that opportunity is now gone.
Smith inked a deal to join the Philadelphia Eagles one day after Philly won the opening game of the NFL season over the visiting Dallas Cowboys.
“BREAKING: The #Eagles are signing 3x Pro Bowl OLB Za’Darius Smith to a one-year deal with upside to $9 million, per multiple sources,” Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reported via social media on Friday, September 5. “Philly adds to its pass rush with Smith, who recorded nine sacks with the #Lions and #Browns last season.”
Lions Have Minimal Pass Rush Outside of Aidan Hutchinson
Aidan Hutchinson, Lions
Getty Detroit Lions pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson.
Failing to re-sign Smith, or choosing expressly not to do so, will hurt the Lions’ pass rush. The team traded with the Cleveland Browns to acquire Smith ahead of last year’s mid-season deadline and after superstar edge Aidan Hutchinson broke his leg partway through Detroit’s Week 5 contest against Dallas.
Hutchinson had 7.5 sacks through four games and change, a pace that would have seen him net 30 or more sacks on the season. For context, Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals led the league in that category in 2024 with 17.5 sacks.
Perhaps the Lions feel confident enough in their ability to disrupt opposing pockets with Hutchinson returning to full health ahead of Week 1. However, if the roster remains as it is now, Marcus Davenport will start opposite Hutchinson at the other defensive end position.
That’s not great news for the Detroit defense, as Davenport has struggled to stay on the field and hasn’t been productive when he has played. He appeared in two games for the Lions last season before tearing his triceps and missing the remainder of the campaign. The year prior, Davenport played four contests for the Minnesota Vikings before sustaining an ankle injury that led to IR.
Over the course of the past three seasons, the 29-year-old Davenport has played just 21 games and recorded a total of three sacks.
Jadeveon Clowney Best Remaining Free-Agent Option for Lions After Za’Darius Smith Inked With Eagles
Jadeveon Clowney
GettyFormer Carolina Panthers edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney.
Detroit’s decision not to sign Smith is a bit of a head-scratcher considering his production last season and the price point at which he signed with the Eagles, not to mention the fact that the Lions have an open roster spot and north of $34 million in available salary cap space.
Smith, who turns 33 years old on Monday, is a three-time Pro Bowler and expressly stated his desire to return to the two-time NFC North division champions in 2025.
The Lions may have other plans to generate a pass rush, or they may have their eyes on another player. However, the only free agent remaining who really makes sense is Jadeveon Clowney.
Clowney is of a similar age and has been similarly productive over the course of his career as Smith has been over his, though Smith is familiar with Detroit’s defense already and has also been a bigger producer than Clowney across the last five or six seasons.