Marcus Davenport will remain in place with the Lions for next season, but the same will not be true for Za’Darius Smith. The latter will be released, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Smith began the 2024 season with the Browns, having served as a full-time starter with the team the year before. Once Aidan Hutchinson suffered a broken leg, however, adding an edge rusher became a top priority with the Lions. Smith was quickly named as the top target in Detroit’s pursuit of a stopgap, and a deal was worked out in November.
The three-time Pro Bowler was a key figure upon for the Lions upon arrival for the Lions, logging a 60% snap share and recording four sacks. Hutchinson will be back for the start of next season, however, and Davenport took a one-year pact to stay in the Motor City. This move will free up $5.73MM in cap space for the Lions while not generating any dead money charges. Smith was due a $510K option bonus in September, but that will no longer be the case.
More to come…
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