The Detroit Lions traded for former Cleveland Browns defensive end Za'Darius Smith during the 2024 season in hopes of filling the void left by injuries to many of its top pass rushers.
Smith compiled 12 tackles and four sacks in eight games, showing promise as a potential holdover to pair with returning superstar Aidan Hutchinson and the Lions' other defensive stars next season.
On Sunday, the Lions released Smith, causing a wide range of reactions from Detroit fans tied to the dream of their franchise making, and winning, its first ever Super Bowl under coach Dan Campbell.
Za'Darius Smith warms up at Ford Field prior to the Lions' game against the Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025.
Fans appeared split in the comments section of a post by one local sports network as they debated whether Detroit's general manager Brad Holmes made the right move.
"Trust Brad," one fan wrote on the Woodward Sports Network's page. "It's not like he doesn't know how to build a contender."
Another fan called it the wrong move.
"I am in total shock," they said. "This guy played every game for you last year when the entire defense was injured and you let him go?"
Still another was surprised Detroit chose Marcus Davenport over Smith.
"You bring back a guy that played two games for you (Marcus Davenport)!
"This was the wrong move! A chance to play with a healthy Hutchinson would've been fantastic!" they added.
"He ain't do nothing since we traded for him. Basically disappeared in the playoffs. Time to move on," another fan added.
"He was a help and a great teammate, but not what they anticipated stat wise," another reader said.
