To save salary cap spending, the Detroit Lions will cut three-time Pro Bowler Zadarius Smith who now becomes a notable free agent this week. According to the breaking news, the team will be moving on from the edge rusher which will save them $5.7 million in cap space and would allow the Lions to avoid the option bonus on Smith’s deal. Originally selected in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft, the former Kentucky product came into the lineup as a temporary replacement for Aidan Hutchinson for the rest of the season. Smith had his moments last year but was only able to register four sacks, three tackles for loss and 10 quarterback hits in eight games.
However, on his recent social media post, he was looking forward to winning a Super Bowl with the Lions but now it looks like he will have to do that elsewhere. Since Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport are returning, it would make Smith expendable so the Lions had no other choice but to release him. Smith joins a market full of other top-edge rushers in the league like Joey Bosa, Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick. The Lions want to bring back Smith somehow but these five teams could sign him before they get the opportunity.
Breaking: Lions Cut Three-Time Pro Bowler Zadarius Smith, 5 Suitors Emerge?
Next Possible Teams
Baltimore Ravens
A return to the Baltimore Ravens is very possible in this situation. The team is lacking experience in the Ravens trenches after losing Jadeveon Clowney last offseason. Perhaps, Smith could fill his shoes and be a formidable upgrade over Trenton Simpson and David Ojabo. As of this posting, the only capable edge rushers on this roster are Kyle Van Noy and Roquan Smith. ZaDarius Smith might be the same athletic freak that he once was but he might be a crucial pass rusher to stop the run.
Los Angeles Chargers
If anyone can bring out the best in Smith, it’s head coach Jim Harbaugh who loves to play football games with a physical defense. A perfect example of that is defensive lineman Teair Tart and Poona Ford. While the team could re-sign Ford, there hasn’t been discussion about Tart so he will likely sign a one-year deal elsewhere. The same could happen for Khalil Mack as he enters this week as a top free-agent edge rusher.
Smith might not outplay Mack but the Chargers need a game-changing answer to their pass rush, especially at least a viable replacement for Joey Bosa.
Kansas City Chiefs
As for the Chiefs, the good news is that the team is bringing back Nick Bolton. However, the team has yet to have discussions about Josh Uche after having a quiet 2024 campaign. He may not return but Smith’s presence on a veteran contract could be crucial. The team probably won’t be able to maximize Smith’s next deal but any contract offer from the Chiefs could intrigue him.
Dallas Cowboys
This could be the last time the Dallas Cowboys will see Demarcus Lawrence in a uniform as he’s another name in free agency they will probably lose. The main priority for the team is bringing back Micah Parsons even though there hasn’t been any progress. Jerry Jones said the team won’t be aggressive again in free agency but they should if they want the team to get back in the playoffs. Smith might not be the same elite player but he and Parsons pairing could be a worthy investment for Dallas.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders have done phenomenal building an offense for quarterback Jayden Daniels. However, since they have cap space again, the team will plan to get aggressive by adding new defensive linemen. Dante Fowler Jr. is a free agent but they signed Bobby Wagner on another one-year deal. This means the team will probably sign a replacement and that could be Smith.
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