Report: Za'Darius Smith Cut by Lions to Save Salary Cap Before Bonus After 2024 Trade

The Detroit Lions reportedly released edge-rusher Za'Darius Smith on Sunday according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

The move will free up $5.7 million in cap space for Detroit, per Spotrac, and will allow the team to avoid the $6.9 million option bonus he was due on March 14.

The Lions traded a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-rounder to the Cleveland Browns in November in exchange for Smith and a 2026 seventh-rounder, and the result was four sacks, three tackles for loss and 10 quarterback hits in eight games.

Detroit added him in an effort to replace some of the pass rush it lost when Aidan Hutchinson was lost for the season in October due to a broken leg. But with both Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport returning—and other needs to address on the defensive side of the ball—the Lions chose to move on from Smith.

In total, the three-time Pro Bowler registered nine sacks last season, and for his career has three campaigns with double-digit sacks.

In what is a pretty weak free agency overall, Smith should be one of the top edge-rushers available, joining players like Joey Bosa, Josh Sweat, Haason Reddick, Khalil Mack, Malcolm Koonce, Dayo Odeyingbo, Chase Young, Dante Fowler and Azeez Ojulari, among others.

The Lions could ultimately be in the market for any of those players, and could look to bring back Smith on a cheaper deal. For now, however, the 32-year-old is set to hit free agency.