Both are saying the correct things. This offseason, Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes and veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith both expressed interest in reuniting.
But one has not occurred yet. Despite the fact that the Lions now have an available roster place, a reunion is unlikely to happen soon.
Holmes discussed where the team and Smith stood heading into the 2025 NFL season.
“Anything is a possibility.” “I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Holmes told reporters Thursday. “However, the one available roster position is not for a particular player. It’s for the player who makes the most sense to us, whoever that is.”
As a follow-up, the Lions general manager was asked whether the organization had spoken with Smith or his agent.
“Not recently, no,” Holmes replied.
The Lions acquired Smith at the 2024 NFL trading deadline. In addition, Detroit obtained a 2026 seventh-round pick from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a 2025 fifth-rounder and a 2026 sixth-round pick.
Smith had 12 total tackles for the Lions in eight games, three of which were for loss. He also recorded four sacks, ten quarterback hits, and one pass defense.
Za’Darius Smith had expressed want to be back with the Lions.
In one interview, Smith made it clear that he wanted to return to Detroit this season. In an interview with Tyler Dragon of USA Today in June, the experienced edge rusher discussed where he wants to play this fall.
“We both know where I want to be,” Smith informed Dragon. “Hopefully I can return to Detroit because the coaching staff and everyone in the front office are fantastic.
“When I’m there, I feel like a leader who can influence the younger men and do big things. Hopefully, I can return to where I want to be in Detroit.”
While Holmes has not been as blunt, he has expressed a desire to reunite. Following the Lions’ first preseason game,
Holmes discussed the potential of bringing Smith back.
“Za’Darius has expectations, and the team has expectations, so it can take some time for those things to align,” Holmes told Pro Football Talk’s Josh Alper. “Especially a guy that’s been in the league as long as he has, I’m not saying that he doesn’t want to be in training camp, but if he misses some time, there’s obviously still interest there and we’ve been keeping in touch.”
“Keeping in touch” is a vague concept that means something different to each person. But it’s understandable to wonder if the Lions and Smith have kept “in touch” in recent weeks if the team and edge rusher haven’t spoken “recently.”
In the upcoming 2025 NFL season, the Lions’ edge rushing depth is expected to be limited, making Smith a topic of discussion.
Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport will start on the perimeter for Detroit. After missing the most of last season, Hutchinson is expected to return to his previous form. Hutchinson made his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2023, racking up 11.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and 33 quarterback hits.
Davenport is a dependable veteran who can provide a pass rush opposite Hutchinson.
However, there are certain questions around those two starters. On the first 53-man roster, Al-Quadin Muhammad was the only other “edge rusher” for Detroit.
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