The Detroit Lions have seen a lot of things change over the last couple of months. They have watched as multiple coaches and players leave town. The Lions decided to release some guys as well and Za’Darius Smith was one of them.
Detroit released Smith in March in a move that saved the team $5.75 million in cap space. Despite being on the market for a month, Smith has flirted with the idea of re-signing with the Lions and was recently spotted courtside at a Pistons game.
Even though he’s available, Smith seemingly sent a message to the franchise. A tweet was posted with the highest % of pass rushers with a pressure over the last three seasons and he came in the fifth spot at 16.1%.
Smith quote tweeted that post with a thinking face emoji. He only trailed Micah Parsons, Nick Bosa, Myles Garrett, and Trey Hendrickson.
Za’Darius Smith Boasts About His Stats
The Lions certainly need another pass rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson, especially with him coming off that serious leg injury.
Smith was someone Detroit looked to rely on when they traded for him ahead of the deadline. He’s been in the NFL for 10 seasons and has been effective across his five stops. In 140 career games, Smith has supplied 333 total tackles, 85 TFLs, and 69 sacks.
Over eight games with Detroit, Smith had 12 total tackles, 10 QB hits, and four sacks. According to PFF, he had a 74.7 overall grade. Over the course of last season, he was 10th in the league in pressures (63) and sixth in hurries (46).
He has shown the ability to get after the passer, and his tweet showed that he’s still one of the most productive in the league. Smith knows what he brings to the table and wants that known for the world to see.
There’s still a chance the Lions bring him back, but if not, Smith will look to continue his solid play elsewhere around the league.