Defensive end Za'Darius Smith remains a free agent, but, in the end, he wants to be back with the team that he went to the playoffs with last season, that being the Detroit Lions — who cut him in March.

As Trey Hendrickson’s contract holdout with the Cincinnati Bengals drags on, the Lions could pursue a trade for the four-time Pro Bowl candidate. But a better option might be to re-sign Za’Darius Smith.

Former Detroit Lions edge pass rusher Za'Darius Smith made it known that he would prefer to end up back in Honolulu Blue this season. Smith, who was cut by the Lions in March, played eight games for the team in the 2024-25 season after being acquired from the Cleveland Browns following the leg injury to Aidan Hutchinson.