The Kansas City Chiefs are gearing up for another run at the Super Bowl in 2025 and could use more help along the edge. One of the best options left in free agency is a former Detroit Lions edge defender who was cut earlier this offseason.
In 2024, the Chiefs finished with just 39 sacks, tied for the 13th-fewest in the NFL. Looking ahead to 2025, Kansas City has Mike Danna penciled in to start opposite George Karlaftis, but Danna, who tallied just 3.5 sacks last season, is hardly an adequate starting option.
With the Chiefs competing in a loaded AFC that has several talented passers, the team could definitely use a better option than the veteran.
Knowing that, Pro Football Focus’ Mason Cameron predicts the team will sign former Lions edge rusher Za’Darius Smith in free agency.
“Inserting a proven veteran option on the edge, such as Za’Darius Smith, would boost the unit. Across his past three seasons, Smith has generated a 90.1 PFF pass-rush grade, placing him in the 93rd percentile,” Cameron wrote.
Smith was cut by the Lions earlier this offseason after the team decided it could not afford to pay him the $11 million or so he was due on the final year of his contract.
Seeing as how the Lions also have a desperate need along the edge still, a reunion remains possible, although there has been nothing to suggest that will actually happen.
While Smith is getting up there in age (33 in September), he showed he’s still got a lot left in the tank after tallying nine sacks last season. That would’ve been tops on the 2024 Chiefs.
A duo of Smith and Karlaftis would be one of the more formidable in the NFL, and Smith would instantly upgrade Kansas City’s chances of having an elite defense and making it back to the Super Bowl.
Cost is where the Chiefs might run into a problem with Smith, who will likely be seeking the $11 million he was set to make in Detroit.
That isn’t necessarily impossible for the Chiefs to work with, but general manager Brett Veach will have to get creative with the $12.7 million he has to work with in cap space.
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