The Detroit Lions failed to adequately address the edge rusher position during the 2025 NFL Draft, which has led to renewed hope that the team could bring back Za’Darius Smith, who was cut by the Lions earlier this offseason.
The Lions drafted a promising edge rusher in Boise State’s Ahmed Hassanein, but he was a sixth-round pick and the chances of him providing the boost the Lions need opposite Aidan Hutchinson in 2025 are slim.
Detroit ended up signing Smith’s nephew, Syracuse wide receiver Jackson Meeks, as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NFL draft, which many took as a possible sign that a reunion with the veteran edge rusher could happen.
However, For The Win’s Cory Woodroof doesn’t subscribe to that notion. He thinks Smith will end up signing a contract with the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency.
“The Bengals drafted Shemar Stewart in the first round of this year’s draft, but he’s an incredibly raw prospect,” he said. “Especially if the team trades defensive end Trey Hendrickson, adding Smith would be an incredibly smart way to make sure there is a capable veteran pass-rusher on the roster. Smith is the marquee player available.”
The Bengals are in a tough spot at edge rusher. The selection of Shemar Stewart does help add to their stable of edge rushers, but he’s also a risky pick due to his lackluster college production that only saw him tally 4.5 sacks.
Meanwhile, the Bengals have not settled Trey Hendrickson’s contract situation, which leaves the door open for him to be traded. If that happens, Cincinnati will be left with Stewart and Joseph Ossai as their best pass-rushers, and Ossai only tallied five sacks last season.
Smith would be a decent short-term replacement for Hendrickson after posting nine sacks last season. Ideally for Cincinnati, they pair Smith with Hendrickson to give themselves a much-needed boost to the pass rush and defense as a whole after the unit derailed Cincinnati’s season in 2024.
Smith was due to make a little over $11 million with the Lions in 2025 before he was cut, so chances are he’ll be looking for that amount in a new deal. The Bengals have $23.9 million in cap space, so that’s a price they can swing.
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