Lions GM Brad Holmes didn’t close the door on Za’Darius Smith returning, but it appears no recent progress has been made.
The Detroit Lions still have a spot remaining on their 53-man roster, and with the team initially going light at the defensive end position, many understandably wondered if that spot was being held for veteran defensive end Za’Darius Smith. Both Smith and the Lions have previously shown interest in a reunion after the Lions acquired for Smith at last year’s trade deadline, but released him this offseason in a cap-savings move.
However, during his preseason press conference, Lions general manager Brad Holmes said that spot is for flexibility, not a specific player.
“The one open roster spot: we just have one open roster spot. It’s not for a specific player,” H0lmes said. “It’s for the player that makes the most sense for us, whoever that player may be.”
When asked specifically about Smith, Holmes didn’t rule out a reunion, but in the loosest way possible.
“You guys know me. Anything’s a possibility. At any point, I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Holmes said.
But if you were hoping the two sides were closing in on a deal, it doesn’t appear that’s the case. Holmes later clarified that he hasn’t talked with Smith’s camp in some time.
“Not recently, no,” Holmes said.
Smith, who turns 33 next week, played eight games for the Lions last season. Over that span, he produced 4.0 sacks, 12 tackles, a pass defended, and 36 pressures, according to PFF. According to a recent report from ESPN, “multiple contending teams have checked in on Smith.” So either his agent is trying to run up the price for Smith, or the Lions could lose him to another team.
As of right now, the Lions’ defensive end room comprises of Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, Al-Quadin Muhammad, and the recently-claimed Tyrus Wheat, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys.
Category: General Sports
