The 2025 NFL regular season is almost here as the final week of the preseason arrives. The Detroit Lions will close out the exhibition slate against the Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon, giving players on the roster bubble one last chance to prove themselves to head coach Dan Campbell and his staff.
While a good chunk of Lions fans are focused on the upcoming preseason finale, others are still keeping an eye on the franchise's former players. Some ex-Detroit veterans are thriving with their new teams, whereas others are still unemployed as August winds down, including pass rusher Za'Darius Smith.
Smith, 32, is one of the biggest names available on the open market, and his still being unsigned has been surprising to some. Having said that, his time in the unemployment line could be over soon with the NFL's latest expected signing.
The #Dolphins are hosting free agent pass-rusher Matthew Judon on a visit today, source said. Some potential edge help. pic.twitter.com/mEZrwjrZUV
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 18, 2025
Former Lions DE Za'Darius Smith Could Be Signed Soon After Matthew Judon News
On Monday morning, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Miami Dolphins "are hosting free agent pass rusher Matthew Judon on a visit." Assuming that the workout does lead to the Dolphins signing Judon, Smith would become the top EDGE player on the open market.
Smith's situation has been mostly quiet throughout the offseason. There weren't many updates regarding the veteran disruptor's future until earlier this month, when Lions general manager Brad Holmes admitted to remaining open to the idea of reuniting with Smith; however, it takes two to tango, and the continued communication still hasn't produced a signing.
With Judon potentially off the market, Smith's odds of landing a new NFL contract will likely skyrocket. Even if he doesn't get paid as much as he would have had he signed earlier in the offseason, teams will be a lot more desperate for his services as preseason injuries mount up around the NFL.
Acquired from the Cleveland Browns ahead of the 2024 trade deadline, Smith went on to be a reliable force on the Lions' defensive line. Between the two teams, the ex-Kentucky product finished his 10th campaign with 22 solo tackles, nine sacks, and a broken-up pass in 17 outings, earning grades of 76.6 for pass rushing and 71.7 for overall defense on Pro Football Focus.
Unfortunately, Smith's time in the Motor City ended on a low note. He was one of the Lions' biggest underperformers in the Divisional Round loss to the Washington Commanders, finishing with PFF grades of 24.8 for tackling and 39.8 for defense.
The saving grace for Smith is that his career resume will likely outweigh one poor playoff performance. The three-time Pro Bowler has racked up 220 solo tackles, 69.0 sacks, 16 defended passes, and 10 forced fumbles throughout his career, which is the type of experience most coaches would love to inject into their defense right before the regular season begins.
If a new NFL contract is on the horizon for Smith, it likely won't take Lions fans long to find out what his next team will be.