With only three weeks left before the start of the NFL season, teams around the league are putting the final touches on their rosters. As injuries pile up in training camp and preseason, teams are turning to the free agent market to fill their needs. Between now and the start of the season, we will see some of the remaining high-profile free agents find their new homes.
One of those players was Za'Darius Smith. The 33-year-old pass rusher expressed his intention to return to NFL action in June after he was released from the Eagles' reserve/retired list. He had surprisingly retired from football after five games with Philadelphia last season.
Lions may have made the right call by letting Za'Darius Smith go last year
Last week, Smith looked like he might be headed back to Cleveland, where he spent the first half of the 2024 season before the Lions acquired him in a trade. He worked out with the Browns and passed his physical. The expectation was for him to join them this week.
However, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday that the Atlanta Falcons were signing him to a one-year, $6 million deal that could go up to $8 million. Smith worked out with the Falcons on Monday and quickly proceeded to sign his new deal.
Smith has become the third pass rusher to spurn the Browns. AJ Epenesa and Jadeveon Clowney were both seemingly headed to Cleveland before they landed new deals elsewhere.
The former Lions defender may have a larger role in Atlanta, at least to start the season. Jalon Walker is out for the season with a torn ACL, and James Pearce Jr. is suspended because of a domestic violence charge for the first eight games of the season. Smith should get a lot of snaps right away.
Before he decided to hang it up last season, Smith was still an impactful defender. Once he arrived in Detroit in 2024, he immediately contributed, putting up four sacks and 10 QB hits in eight games. Many were expecting Smith to return for another season, but the Lions released him in a cost-cutting move. He stayed on the free agent market for a long time before signing with the Eagles, much to the frustration of some in the Lions fanbase.
Detroit has shied away from signing veteran pass rushers in the last two offseasons despite a need for more depth and quality in the rotation. Smith was a name that came up consistently as a potential target. How he performs in Atlanta remains to be seen, but it's difficult to imagine the Lions having any regrets about their decision to let him go.
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