Could Za\u2019Darius Smith be heading from Detroit to Kansas City?<\/strong><\/p>\n That\u2019s the latest buzz coming from Pro Football Focus, where analyst Mason Cameron has predicted the Super Bowl-champion Chiefs will scoop up the veteran edge rusher\u2014who was recently cut by the Detroit Lions.<\/p>\n And honestly, it makes a lot of sense.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s be real: the AFC is stacked with elite quarterbacks. Mahomes may be on top, but he\u2019s got Burrow, Allen, Stroud, and Lamar breathing down his neck.<\/p>\n For the Chiefs, keeping pressure on opposing passers will be critical if they want to repeat.<\/p>\n Enter former\u00a0Detroit Lions\u00a0EDGE,\u00a0Za\u2019Darius Smith.<\/p>\n \u201cInserting a proven veteran option on the edge, such as Za\u2019Darius Smith, would boost the unit,\u201d\u00a0Cameron wrote.\u00a0\u201cAcross his past three seasons, Smith has generated a 90.1 PFF pass-rush grade, placing him in the 93rd percentile.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n That\u2019s an impressive mark\u2014one that speaks to Smith\u2019s consistent production, even as he enters the back end of his career.<\/p>\n Smith was a solid contributor for the Lions in 2024, especially after\u00a0Aidan Hutchinson went down with an injury. He notched 4 sacks and 39 pressures in just eight games and brought a veteran edge to a young defensive unit.<\/p>\n But ultimately, his $11 million price tag was too rich for Brad Holmes and company.<\/p>\n With cap space at a premium and younger players like Josh Paschal and\u00a0Ahmed Hassanein\u00a0coming in, Detroit made the tough call.<\/p>\n That doesn\u2019t mean a reunion is off the table\u2014it just hasn\u2019t been seriously floated yet.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the thing: the Lions still have a glaring need at EDGE behind Hutchinson.<\/p>\n Marcus Davenport hasn\u2019t stayed healthy, and the current rotation isn\u2019t exactly loaded with reliable depth.<\/p>\n So if Smith ends up making plays for a Super Bowl contender like Kansas City\u2014while the Lions are searching for answers at the same spot\u2014it\u2019s fair to wonder if Holmes pulled the trigger a little too quickly.<\/p>\n That said, Detroit has always been selective about fit and culture, and Smith\u2019s release likely had just as much to do with roster building philosophy as dollars.<\/p>\n Za\u2019Darius Smith may no longer be a Detroit Lion, but he\u2019s still got value\u2014and he may soon be chasing another Super Bowl ring in Kansas City.<\/p>\n If the Chiefs do bring him in, it could be a savvy late-offseason pickup.<\/p>\n For the Lions? Well, it\u2019ll be interesting to see if they still have another move up their sleeve\u2014or if they\u2019re ready to let Hutchinson shoulder the load again.<\/p>\n Either way, Smith\u2019s next chapter might come with a Lombardi Trophy attached.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Former Lions edge rusher Za’Darius Smith is predicted to sign with the Chiefs, filling a major need on defense as Kansas City eyes another Super Bowl Could… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":59921,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-59909","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Za'Darius](\"https:\/\/detroitsportsnation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1-3.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nKansas City Needs Pass Rush Help \u2014 and Smith Still Has Juice<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/figure>\nWhy the Lions Let Him Walk<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Could the Lions Regret Letting Him Go?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
The Bottom Line<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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