The Detroit Lions have one last preseason game on their schedule before the regular season games kick off in September. Injuries are a part of the game, and unfortunately, the Lions are dealing with some.
Head coach Dan Campbell revealed on Monday that rookie defensive end Ahmed Hassanein is "going to be down for a while," per Ben Raven of MLive. Hassanein is dealing with a pectoral injury, and Campbell doesn't have an answer if he'll return this season.
With a hole opening up in the defensive line rotation, the Lions should bring back EDGE Za'Darius Smith for the 2025 season.
Detroit Should Re-Sign Za’Darius Smith Following Injury to Ahmed Hassanein
Smith and the Lions have flirted about a reunion all offseason long, but nothing has materialized. Detroit already knows the pass rush will be led by Aidan Hutchinson, yet that shouldn't stop them from adding more juice upfront.
In eight games in Detroit last season, he finished with 12 total tackles, 10 QB hits, three TFLs, and four sacks. He also added five sacks in the first nine outings with the Browns, bringing his 2024 season to nine sacks.
Getting that kind of production would be huge for the Lions. Per Overthecap.com, the Lions are sitting on $47.8 million, so they have the funds needed to sign Smith on a one-year deal.
While there's been interest from both parties, the Lions need to act quickly in order to bring back Smith, since it's been reported that Matt Judon is nearing a deal with the Miami Dolphins. That would leave Smith and Jadeveon Clowney as the top two free agent EDGE rushers on the market.
With the options becoming more limited, there could be another team that makes a push to sign Smith.
To avoid that, in combination with the injury to Hassanein and the Lions may be forced to add the Kentucky product.
Al-Quadin Muhammad, Mitchell Agude, Nate Lynn, Marcus Davenport, Josh Paschal, and Isaac Ukwu are the other pass rushers on the team, but Smith would be an upgrade over everyone on this list.
The Lions are Super Bowl contenders, and the teams that succeed as the season goes on have impactful pass rushers. That's a recipe for success, and Detroit may need to jump on this chance to bring Smith back to the Motor City.