Dan Campbell needed just 2 words to explain why Lions are passing on Za'Darius Smith

The Detroit Lions added some firepower in free agency this offseason, bringing in cornerback D.J. Reed to support Terrion Arnold in the secondary, signing newly-minted team captain Grant Stuard as a special teams ace and linebacker depth piece, as well as bringing back Graham Glasgow just in time for Frank Ragnow's sudden retirement from the NFL.

Clearly, the front office did their job and filled some holes. One hole that many thought they would fill in free agency, though, was at the pass rush opposite Aidan Hutchinson. However, there wasn't consideration for the fact that Marcus Davenport is still with the Lions, and made it his mission to remain healthy this offseason in order to become that solution at the EDGE.

As a result of his work, head coach Dan Campbell had just two words ahead of Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers in response to a reporter asking about why the Lions hadn't gone out and signed the most obvious solution to their need for pass rush depth, Za'Darius Smith:

"We're good."

Lions confident in pass rush without Za'Darius Smith ahead of Week 1

Things have changed quite drastically in the NFC North over the last week. The Packers went out and took a big swing to upgrade their already great defense, trading for All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons and extending him.

Parsons has some health questions looming ahead of his debut at Lambeau Field this Sunday, but long term, he's a huge addition to their defense as they look to dethrone the Lions in the NFC North.

However, Detroit is expecting huge things from Hutchinson this year as he returns from his broken leg suffered in Week 5 against Parsons' old squad, the Dallas Cowboys. If he can provide that extra help the secondary has been needing since that huge injury in 2024, then the Lions can breathe a little easier.

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Additionally, if Davenport, DJ Reader, and rookie Tyleik Williams can provide some pass rush help to Detroit and take the load off of Hutchinson a bit, then news of their demise will truly begin to feel exaggerated.

The Lions, in other words, will have to make a Smith signing look very unnecessary as soon as Week 1.

These are a lot of "ifs." Thankfully, we're getting a full look at how these two teams fare against one another with their new additions - or, in the Lions' case, their key returns. Green Bay has a great team assembled to take down the Lions if Jared Goff and the new look offensive line can't handle the pressure from Parsons.