When Za’Darius Smith was originally asked about a potential trade to the Detroit Lions, he expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to return to a division that included two of his former teams. The veteran harbors resentment for how his time with the Green Bay Packers ended. In addition to the opportunity to compete for the Super Bowl, getting traded to Detroit allowed him to go off against his previous team. Smith recorded a sack on Green Bay’s opening offensive play during Detroit’s Week 14 victory.
Reflecting on his time with the Packers with Go Long, Smith stated that his dissatisfaction with how things ended stemmed from how the team handled a back injury he was struggling with. That rocky relationship hasn’t changed despite Smith’s stints with the Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, and Detroit.
“It wasn’t correct. I gave that team my all. “They lied to me about my back,” Smith said Golong. “There are many people who believe I did something wrong or was the harsh person in the locker room, but that is not my style. I am not that type of gamer. I want to assist my team win. However, they were unaware of that story. Outside looking in, I’d be upset at myself as well.”
The veteran defender stated that he had been handicapped by a back issue. Initially, the medical professionals did not inform him about a protrusion in his back during an examination. Smith sought a second opinion from Dr. Robert Watkins, who confirmed that he had a protrusion in his back that was causing nerve problems. Smith flew out to California for this evaluation, which did not sit well with the Packers. When he returned to California to get surgery, the Packers penalized him for every day he was gone.
“This is what the fans don’t know. “It came to a million dollars,” Smith explained. “They did not nullify it. They kept it since I wanted to leave and check on my back. After returning to the club later in the year, he described becoming enraged when the Packers tried to force him to run and test his surgically repaired back.
Smith and the Packers parted ways after the 2021 season. He joined Minnesota for the 2022 season before being dealt to the Cleveland Browns in 2023. After a year and a half with the Browns, he was dealt to Detroit during this year’s trade deadline. Since arriving in Detroit, Smith has emerged as a leader for an injury-plagued defense. He has three sacks in six games for the team. His leadership has been critical for a group of inexperienced pass rushers on the defensive line, and his ability to get to the quarterback will be a key factor as Detroit begins its postseason push.
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