The Detroit Lions’ pass rush was decimated by injuries during the 2024 season, as the team lost standout edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson and free agent addition Marcus Davenport to season-ending injuries. With the Lions in need of an edge rusher, general manager Brad Holmes made a trade with the Cleveland Browns for veteran Za’Darius Smith.
Smith had four sacks in eight games, making him the second-most on the team for the season. In total, he had nine sacks, including those with the Browns. According to Pro Football Network’s Ben Rofle, cutting Smith would save the Lions $5.7 million in 2025, according to Over the Cap.
The problem with this notion is that the Lions require Smith in his current form. If the Lions parted ways with the veteran, they’d leave a large void opposite Hutchinson.
Smith only has a $5.7 million cap hit in 2025, so he’s not pricey. The Lions won’t find an edge rusher capable of Smith’s production for that price, making him a steal and someone worth keeping. Furthermore, the Lions are not in a financial bind, as they are expected to have $43.9 million in effective cap space.
Even if they keep Smith, Detroit needs more help. The Lions could need not only more depth, but also a long-term starter. After all, Smith will be 33 this year and eligible for free agency in 2026.
The only way we could see the Lions parting ways with Smith is if they find a significant upgrade, either through free agency or trade. Nonetheless, given their lack of depth, the Lions would be wise to keep Smith.
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