When the Lions pulled the trigger on trading for Za’Darius Smith last November, it felt like the perfect mid-season power-up. Aidan Hutchinson had just gone down, and Detroit needed someone who could bring the heat off the edge. Smith stepped in like a seasoned vet, racking up four sacks in eight games and instantly vibing with Dan Campbell’s gritty, no-nonsense culture.

The guy even got a shout-out from Campbell himself: “He fits right in with us.” But fast-forward to March, and just like that, Smith was out. It looks like the veteran DE isn’t returning to Detroit. The reason? Well, when the Lions’ general manager, Brad Holmes, was asked if he had spoken with Smith since the annual league meeting, and the GM straight-up declined.

“No, we haven’t had any discussions since then… his agent is going to let us know if something was going on OR if anything has changed…” Holmes said. Translation? Well, Holmes didn’t rule out a return for Smith during the press conference. But let’s not kid ourselves—his statement sounds like the Lions are done with Smith after just one season.

The Lions traded for Smith back in November 2025, along with a 2026 seventh-round draft pick, in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round and a 2026 sixth-round draft pick. The 32-year-old DE signed a two-year $23 million deal with Detroit, and appeared in 8 games in the 2024 season (with 7 starts). Fast forward, and the team released the veteran DE in March. Ever since then, Smith’s return to Detroit is uncertain.

To make it more obvious, Brad Holmes remarked during the annual league meeting that the team “couldn’t afford” to keep Smith on his current contract. He didn’t confirm his return at that time. And he didn’t confirm his return during the recent pressers as well. With that being said, the Lions are in dire need of an edge rusher. Long story short: In Detroit, the edge rusher position has become a revolving door.

Think about this: back in March 2024, Dan Campbell and Co. signed Marcus Davenport on a one-year $10.5 million deal. Yeah, Detroit hoped he’d bolster their pass rush. Enter a triceps injury in September, and the guy was sidelined for the rest of the season. Then there was Aidan Hutchinson, their star defensive end. But the 24-year-old DE fractured both his tibia and fibula during the week 6 showdown against the Cowboys.

To fill the gap, the Lions traded for Smith, who recorded 4 sacks in 8 games. And now? Yeah, the team released him. The silver lining? Well, the team extended Davenport’s contract on a one-year deal. But let’s be real—Dan Campbell and Co. still have a lot to do to bolster their D-line. And they are probably eyeing the NFL draft as well.

Are Dan Campbell and the Lions interested in trading in the draft?

The NFL draft is just one week away, and with that, Brad Holmes and the Lions are preparing to fill those gaps that will help them lift the Super Bowl. And if there’s anything history has taught us about Holmes and the way he trades draft picks, then it’s that he doesn’t just sit back and let the draft come to him—he goes out and gets his guy. And we aren’t talking about just one season, folks.

Since taking over as GM in 2021, Holmes has made a habit of trading up to snag players he covets. In fact, over his first three drafts, he executed eight trade-ups, including a bold move in 2022 to grab wide receiver Jameson Williams. Last year? Holmes picked Terrion Arnold, trading with the Cowboys to select the Alabama cornerback. But what about now? I mean, the Lions have the 28th pick in this year’s draft.

Is Holmes getting a call to move up or down? Well, that’s the interesting part. During the recent pressers, Holmes was asked if he’s received any calls from teams that are interested in trading for the 28th overall pick. Holmes response? “I have not…” Just like that. Besides, the GM shared his thoughts on making a move to trade up, trade back, or staying put in the NFL draft. “We might be in striking range… it could be moving back, could be staying patient, it could be oh, we didn’t think this guy…” He said.

However, Holmes admitted that he’s willing to make a move on the draft night and be open to it, but on one condition. Yeah, as long as the team feels good about a draft prospect, Holmes is all in on making a move on Thursday night. And his philosophy regarding the trade situation just summed that up. “I think it’s kind of based on just what the overall — let’s call it what the talent level is and how high the talent level is in each draft,” Holmes said.

“And it’s also relative to where we’re picking. I don’t really go into it like, ‘I’ve got to trade up, I’ve got to trade up, I’ve got to trade up.’ But trading back, it’s just how many of those players would be available, and how much less of a player would you be getting? Or, the players are gonna be the same, and the more rational thing would be to get more assets. But it’s case by case.” All in all, it’s safe to say that if Brad Holmes has something cooking for draft night, you can bet he’s gonna pull the trigger. Dude doesn’t just sit around—if he wants it, he’s going for it.