In an Edge Rush “overhaul,” Lions are urged to sign a $42 million defensive end.

The Detroit Lions’ pass rush was frequently a source of inconsistent play in 2023, despite the team making some notable defensive gains.

According to USA Today’s Jeff Risdon, the Lions are expected to make changes to their edge-rushing group this summer. A three-time Pro Bowler would make sense as a backup for star Aidan Hutchinson. Za’Darius Smith, a former edge rusher for the Cleveland Browns, might be a “under-the-radar” addition to the Lions this summer to help replace some of the veteran leadership that the team will be losing, according to Risdon.

Lions Tapped to Add ‘Productive’

Veteran Risdon pointed out that with several veterans projected to leave in free agency, the Lions’ pass-rushing group would probably see some major changes this offseason.

“With the Lions revamping the EDGE position—Julian Okwara is already in Philadelphia, and Charles Harris and his brother Romeo Okwara are both free agents—the team may be searching for a more successful veteran who wants to win a Super Bowl one last time. Smith is that, Risdon wrote.

Before free agency opens in March, Risdon observed that Smith doesn’t seem to be receiving much attention, particularly considering that he has 15.5 sacks over the previous two seasons. That may be partially due to Smith’s decline in 2023, when he played with the more effective Myles Garrett and only recorded 5.5 sacks and 27 total tackles.

However, Smith might still be a valuable acquisition to a team that had trouble locating a reliable pass rusher to replace Hutchinson. Hutchinson, a second-year player, accounted for nearly 30% of the team’s total with 11.5 sacks. No other player finished the year with more than five sacks.

The Canadian Football League star Mathieu Betts was signed by the Lions to a contract, marking the beginning of the team’s defensive restructuring. The former Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the CFL chose the B.C. Lions over other NFL suitors, recording 18 sacks in 18 games.

Betts’ agent, Sasha Ghavami, stated the Detroit Free Press, “He had offers in both leagues and ultimately the fit in Detroit, they’ve had continued interest in him ever since he worked out for them.”

“The fit is excellent. He seems to be the kind of player they are looking for—high-energy, highly motivated, and willing to give it his all. And, in my opinion, he saw it as an additional chance to enter and succeed in the NFL. He believes in his skills and, in my opinion, is just waiting for the chance.