The Detroit Lions made a bit of a head-scratching move this offseason when they decided to release veteran pass rusher Za’Darius Smith. Given that he was still under contract for 2025 and had a manageable $11 million salary—pretty reasonable for a guy who racked up nine sacks last season—many expected him to stick around.
But during the NFL owners’ meetings, Lions general manager Brad Holmes cleared up the decision: it all came down to money.
“It was an amicable decision,” Holmes explained. “We couldn’t afford it, plain and simple. I told him that, and he understood.”
Now, the Lions are in a tough spot. Not only do they lack depth at edge rusher, but they also need a solid starter to play opposite their young star Aidan Hutchinson. Ideally, they’d find a long-term solution, but for now, they’ve got a hole to fill.
Meanwhile, Pro Football Network’s Kyle Soppe thinks the Kansas City Chiefs could be a perfect landing spot for Smith. The Chiefs, who ranked 27th in sack rate last season when not blitzing, could use a reliable veteran to boost their pass rush. They totaled just 39 sacks last year (18th in the NFL), and if they want to make another Super Bowl run in a stacked AFC, that number needs to improve.
Even though Smith turns 33 in September, he proved last season that he still has plenty left in the tank. And Kansas City, with its championship pedigree, could be an enticing destination for him. The Chiefs currently have around $11.8 million in cap space—just enough to make a deal happen if they’re serious about adding him.
Bottom line? The Lions’ loss could end up being the Chiefs’ gain.
