LOS ANGELES — Free-agent pass rusher Za’Darius Smith is aware of where he wants to continue his playing career.
His heart is still in Motown.
“We both know where I want to be,” Smith told USA TODAY Sports at the 2025 BET Awards. “Hopefully I can get back to Detroit because the coaching staff and everybody in the front office are great. When I’m there I feel like a leader and like I can influence the young guys and do great things. Hopefully I can get back to where I want to be in Detroit.”
Smith played for the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions during his NFL career. The Lions acquired Smith from the Browns last season ahead of the trade deadline. Detroit got Smith at a time in which the club desperately needed pass rush help following Aidan Hutchinson’s season-ending leg injury.
The veteran produced 12 tackles, four sacks and 40 pressures in eight games with the Lions all without Hutchinson. Hutchinson, Smith and defensive tackle Alim McNeill were the Lions highest-graded pass rushers last year, per Pro Football Focus.
Hutchinson’s since been cleared to return to football activities this offseason, and Smith believes the two can form a stout edge tandem.
“I’m still a veteran. He’s still a young guy. I can help him with a lot of things. He’s already great but as a player there are some tools that I know that I can help him with,” Smith said. “And there are some things as a young guy that he can help me with.”
Smith is one of USA TODAY Sports’ top remaining free agents. He’s compiled 333 tackles, 69 sacks and 173 QB hits in 140 career regular-season games. The 32-year-old showed this past season that he still has plenty left to give to a team. At this stage of Smith’s career, though, the three-time Pro Bowler wants to compete for a championship – and he’s holding out hope that he’ll chase a ring in Detroit.
“I’m going into Year 11. As a veteran (a championship) is the only thing that I’m missing,” Smith said. “I did the sacks, All-Pro, Pro Bowl, so it’s really just me getting a ring now and winning a championship.”
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