Breaking News: Detroit Lions Set to Part Ways with Star Edge Rusher Za'Darius Smith!

In a surprising move, the Detroit Lions are preparing to release veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith, as reported by ESPN and NFL Network, with Jeremy Fowler breaking the news first. Acquired through a trade with the Cleveland Browns last season, Smith’s complicated contract has led to this decisive decision by the Lions management.

The Contract Conundrum

Za’Darius Smith was in the last year of his contract, which included a hefty cap hit of $5.7 million for the 2025 season. However, complications arose due to $2 million of that sum becoming guaranteed shortly after the new league year begins on March 15. Though this might appear reasonable for a player of his caliber, the presence of additional voided years made the situation more intricate.

Tacked onto Smith's deal were three voided years poised to kick in just before the regular season, risking an unwanted cap hit of $5.2 million for the Lions in 2026—essentially forcing the team to wrestle with a nearly $11 million total liability without even retaining Smith.

Smart Timing for a Critical Release

While the Lions technically had until September to make a final call before the voided years activated, acting swiftly was undoubtedly wise. By announcing Smith’s release now, the Lions sidestep the impending $2 million cap hit, allowing them to conserve resources in a critical roster-building period.

Cleansing the Cap Space

What might be the cap implications of this move? Remarkably, the Lions will face no immediate cap hit by letting Smith go prior to his guarantees kicking in. This decision not only frees up much-needed salary cap space but also enables Smith to hit the free agent market at an opportune moment, maximizing his chances for a lucrative deal with another team.

Can Smith Return to Detroit?

While the prospects of re-signing Smith remain open, he will officially become a street free agent once the release transaction is complete. Despite expressing gratitude towards Detroit on social media with a post saying, 'Thank You Detroit,' which fans interpreted as a goodbye, the door isn’t completely closed for a potential return to the Lions.

No Compensatory Picks for Detroit

Interestingly, Smith’s release means that he won’t count against the Lions’ compensatory draft pick formula, allowing the team to maneuver more freely in the upcoming drafts without the burden of compensatory obligations.

What Does the Future Hold for Za’Darius Smith?

As one of the most productive edge rushers when healthy, Smith will likely draw significant interest from multiple NFL teams. Will he find a new home quickly, or could he potentially circle back to the Lions? The NFL free agency landscape is about to get more intriguing. Buckle up, fans!