The Detroit Lions have completed their offseason program and the next time they meet up, it will be for training camp next month. While most of the team has spent the time together to prepare for the upcoming season, there’s one notable absence that has become one of the Lions’ biggest storylines this offseason.
There hasn’t been any movement on a contract between the Lions and Za’Darius Smith, but the 32-year-old is still holding out hope. After hanging around Detroit all offseason, Smith still thinks a reunion with the team is still possible and it could come together in the weeks leading up to training camp as a final piece to a championship puzzle.
Za’Darius Smith Says He’ll Re-Sign With Lions ‘Soon’
Smith was spotted by Instagram user abbnorm and was asked when he was re-signing with the Lions. Upon hearing the question, Smith flashed a big smile and replied, “Soon, soon, soon.”
Za’Darius Smith on when he’s going to re-sign with the Detroit Lions :
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) June 10, 2025
“Soon.” 👀👀👀
via : abbnorm / IG pic.twitter.com/dAVUlBhqkE
The Lions haven’t made Smith’s return official but he’s shown he doesn’t want to play anywhere else in 2025. Aside from being spotted at Detroit Pistons games, Smith hasn’t had any steam with another team and has been pushing for the Lions to bring him back. But the main issue that has prevented his re-signing has been the money.
Detroit declined a $2 million roster bonus for Smith in March and hasn’t shown a willingness to cave into his contract demands. While the two sides haven’t agreed to a deal, there’s a good chance that Smith’s prediction of “soon” could come true as training camp approaches.
Smith came to the Lions as part of a trade from the Cleveland Browns last November. He racked up 40 quarterback pressures and four sacks in nine games and helped Detroit make up for the loss of Aidan Hutchinson after he broke his leg last October. Hutchinson is slated to return from the injury but the Lions haven’t added an edge rusher outside of bringing back the oft-injured Marcus Davenport.
Perhaps Smith is just connecting the dots when it comes to Detroit’s pass rush. But he has good reason to believe his return to the Lions will be official in the near future.