'We both know where I want to be' Za'Darius Smith says he wants to be back with the Lions

Right after the Detroit Lions wrapped up the 2024 season, it became apparent that Za'Darius Smith's contract might be one the Lions wanted to get out of. The big thing that hurt was the void year he had in 2026, which took his deal from just over $5 million to $11 million. Lions GM Brad Holmes said flat out that the Lions couldn't afford it. 

"Yeah, look, it was, it was an amicable, you know, decision. We couldn't afford it. It's bottom line. You know, that was my communication with him, and he understood that." Holmes said, "We would have loved to have been able to keep him, but we just weren't able to. But we've been keeping in touch with his agent and he understands that process."

That was in early April, and here we are, not too long before training camp, and no deal has been agreed to. When Holmes was asked about any talk with Smith right before the draft, he said that the two sides had not talked since before the league meetings. 

On Monday, Smith was at the BET Awards with his girlfriend and Detroit area rapper Kash Doll. He was asked about what he'd like to do in 2025, and he told USA Today's Tyler Dragon that he'd like to be a Lion again. 

“We both know where I want to be,” Smith told USA TODAY Sports at the 2025 BET Awards. “Hopefully I can get back to Detroit because the coaching staff and everybody in the front office are great. When I’m there I feel like a leader and like I can influence the young guys and do great things. Hopefully I can get back to where I want to be in Detroit.”

Smith also said that he believes he can help Aidan Hutchinson grow, and that, in turn, Hutchinson can help him on the field, too. He also said that at this point in his career, he's done the sacks, the All-Pro thing, and the Pro Bowl thing. What he really wants is a championship. Looks like he sees Detroit as his best opportunity for that. 

At this point, the holdup appears to be super simple. It's all about the money. What Smith wants and what the Lions want to pay him is unknown at this time, but it would appear that the two sides are still apart on that. We'll see what happens in the coming weeks, but the reunion is in the cards if they can agree to terms.