The Detroit Lions have turned down multiple chances to acquire an edge rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson this offseason. At the end of May, they chose not to seek a trade for disgruntled San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Bryce Huff. Prior to that, Detroit didn't draft or sign a free agent rusher.
This has led many Lions fans to believe the team is likely to reunite with Za'Darius Smith at some point before the season begins. That said, on Thursday, a surprising cut happened that opened up a new possibility for Detroit.
According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the Cleveland Browns released veteran edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo. Though Okoronkwo has been less productive than Smith throughout his career, he may still be the better option to bring in for this season.
#Browns have released edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo and signed kicker Andre Szmyt, the club announced.
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) June 26, 2025
Recently Released Edge Rusheer Ogbo Okoronkwo Could be Perfect Fit for Lions
While many Lions fans may scoff at the idea of bringing in someone who's been less productive than Smith, it's not the worst idea. Currently, Okoronkwo is 30 years old and Smith is 32 years old. Despite two years not typically being a huge age gap, it is in football when a player passes thirty.
Abilities like speed and strength tend to deteriorate with age, so a few less seasons may actually be beneficial in this case. In six NFL seasons, Okoronkwo has recorded 132 tackles, 32 TFLs, 17 sacks, four pass deflections and four forced fumbles.
His best season was in 2022 with the Houston Texans. That year, the 30-year-old tallied 44 tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks, two pass deflections, one forced fumble, six quarterback hits, 25 QB hurries and 36 QB pressures, according to PFF.
That season was the reason Cleveland signed him to a three-year $19 million contract during the 2023 offseason. In two seasons with the Browns as a rotational pass rusher, Okoronkwo recorded 54 tackles, 17 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, one pass deflection and one forced fumble.
Moreover, he had seven quarterback hits, 42 QB hurries and 57 QB pressures, according to PFF. All things considered, those are decent stats for a rotational guy. Cleveland just wanted to get a bit younger off their bench.
Although Smith is historically the better option, Detroit should seriously consider bringing in Okoronkwo due to his age and level of production as a rotational guy. In spite of this not being the big move fans want, this signing would at least ease some of the worries Lions fans have about who is lining up opposite of Aidan Hutchinson.