According to reports from ESPN and NFL Network (Jeremy Fowler had it first) the Detroit Lions plan to release veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith. Smith, who was acquired via a trade with the Cleveland Browns last season, had a complicated contract that made retaining him less than appealing.
The problem with Smith’s contract
Smith was in the final year of his contract and was set to have a cap hit of $5.7 million in 2025, with $2 million of that contract scheduled to become guaranteed on the third day of the league new year (March 15).