Detroit Lions fans were not pleased with the team’s performance Sunday, as the Lions were dominated by the Green Bay Packers on both sides of the ball en route to a 27-13 loss, but their biggest issue was getting after the quarterback.
According to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic, the Lions only recorded eight pressures in Week 1 (h/t Tru Media), which was tied for the third-fewest pressures by a team, not including the final two primetime games. Pouncy adds that Hutchinson led the way with three pressures, with the other three defensive starters having one each.
Throughout the offseason and heading into the regular season, Lions fans were concerned about the team’s pass rush as Detroit failed to address it. Now, Detroit is in a spot where they need to sign someone quickly. Za’Darius Smith, who signed with the Eagles last week, is already off the board. But luckily for the Lions, there are still a few pass rushers available if they are willing to pay.
In fact, former Green Bay Packers edge rusher Preston Smith could be an ideal reinforcement.
Ex-Packers EDGE Preston Smith Should Be on Lions’ Radar After Week 1
The 32-year-old defender is still a free agent after spending last season with the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Smith surprisingly requested a trade out of Green Bay ahead of the trade deadline, as he believed Jeff Hafley’s system wasn’t a good fit. Smith is predominantly a 3-4 defense outside linebacker. However, Smith had to switch to a defensive end in Hafley’s 4-3 scheme.
The veteran pass rusher racked up four quarterback hits, 2.5 sacks, and two tackles for loss in nine games. It was a far cry from what we’ve seen Smith do over the years, where he had at least 8 sacks between 2021-2023.
Smith got his wish and was traded to the Steelers, who deploy a 3-4 defense, allowing him to go back to his natural position. But the results weren’t spectacular, as the ex-Packer only had three tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, and two sacks in eight games. Smith also played a career-low 161 defensive snaps in Pittsburgh.
Nonetheless, even though 2024 was a wash for Smith, it wouldn’t hurt the Lions to bring him in for a workout. Detroit doesn’t run a 3-4 defense, which could be a hang-up, as they run a base 4-2. However, given the depth at defensive end and at weakside linebacker behind Alex Anzalone, they cannot be picky on their free agent options.
The veteran linebacker would give them someone with experience, good size (6-foot-5 and 265 pounds), and would be an upgrade over what’s there behind Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport.
If the Lions want to compete with the Packers in the NFC North, they must upgrade their pass rush in the coming days and weeks.