🟡 BREAKING NEWS: Lions Complete Roster Shuffle by Striking Surprise Trade with Za’Darius Smith

Detroit, MI – June 14, 2025 – In a stunning move that could reshape their defensive identity for the 2025 NFL season, the Detroit Lions have completed a surprise trade to acquire veteran EDGE rusher Za’Darius Smith, reuniting with a familiar face who once terrorized quarterbacks in the NFC North.

🛑 A Move Nobody Saw Coming

Sources confirmed early Friday morning that the Lions and Browns struck a late-night deal sending Za’Darius Smith to Detroit in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick and a conditional seventh-rounder. The trade caught analysts off-guard, especially as the Lions had kept relatively quiet on the free-agent market in recent weeks.

Just days ago, Smith was vocal about his desire to “finish business in Detroit”, and it appears the Lions’ front office listened.

“I’ve always had unfinished work here. It’s time to bring that energy back,” Za’Darius Smith told Pride of Detroit in a brief phone interview.

🔥 What Smith Brings to the Table

The 33-year-old pass rusher is coming off a productive season with the Browns, tallying 9 sacks, 42 tackles, and 18 QB pressures. Despite being in the later stages of his career, Smith remains one of the league’s most effective edge defenders when used strategically in rotation.

Pairing Smith with Aidan Hutchinson on the opposite end gives the Lions a ferocious pass-rush duo, especially on third downs and tight games.

📊 Contract Details

Smith reportedly restructured his contract prior to the deal, agreeing to a 1-year, $6.5 million pact with $2 million in performance bonuses, allowing the Lions to stay well within their cap budget, which sits around $42 million post-trade.

This is considered a classic Brad Holmes move: low-risk, high-reward, and strong locker-room fit.

🧩 Roster Implications

With this trade, the Lions:

• Address a depth concern at EDGE after the departure of Romeo Okwara.

• Gain veteran leadership in a still-young defensive unit.

• Increase flexibility on third-down and nickel packages.

Josh Paschal and James Houston are expected to rotate behind the two stars, making Detroit’s defensive front one of the most balanced in the NFC.

🗣️ Reactions from Around the League

• NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport: “Smart move by Detroit. Za’Darius has juice left and fits Aaron Glenn’s system like a glove.”

• Lions fan forums erupted with celebration, many calling it the “missing piece” for a deep playoff run.

📆 What’s Next?

With Smith in the building, the Lions are expected to shift focus to solidifying their CB depth, and possibly adding another interior lineman before training camp.

But one thing’s clear: Detroit isn’t settling after last year’s NFC Championship Game appearance. They’re going all-in.