A familiar face is still looking to return to the Detroit Lions for the 2025 season.
The Lions traded for Za'Darius Smith ahead of the deadline last season to give their pass rush a boost after Aidan Hutchinson's season was ended by an injury.
Despite playing well during his stint with the Lions, Smith was released this offseason.
Former Detroit Lions edge Za'Darius Smith celebrating a sack
Former Detroit Lions edge Za'Darius Smith
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
During an appearance at the BET Awards, Smith told USA Today that he wants to return to the Lions this offseason.
He told USA Today, "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."
It's not the first time Smith has made his feelings about playing for the Lions known.
All the way back in January he mentioned that he wanted to stay with the team for the 2025 season in an Instagram post.
He also had a Lions Super Bowl ring made around that same time.
Smith still ended up being released in a move to save cap space, but there was hope at the time that the Lions would end up re-signing him.
It has now been months since then and Smith remains a free agent while the Lions have yet to bring in a replacement.
He's an obvious fit for one of the team's biggest needs. Hutchinson remains the only threat off the edge on the roster.
The one issue has been money. General manager Brad Holmes has said the team couldn't afford Smith.
That should change as we get deeper into the offseason with Smith still available.
Hopefully the two sides can get something done soon as it's obvious where Smith wants to be and adding him would fill the one remaining need the team has on defense.
If they're serious about competing for a Super Bowl in 2025, this is a move that should be made before Smith decides to sign somewhere else.