Lions’ Dan Campbell Makes Key Move on Za’Darius Smith After Browns Trade

Lions’ Dan Campbell Makes Key Move on Za’Darius Smith After Browns Trade

 

One of the major headlines of this NFL trade deadline involved the Detroit Lions, who have emerged as arguably the best team in the NFC through the first half of the season. Heading into the year, the Lions had a clear need for additional pass rush help, a gap that became even more pressing after star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson suffered a season-ending leg injury.

 

 

 

 

Though Detroit waited until the final day of the deadline, they eventually made a move to bolster their defense. The Lions acquired edge rusher Za’Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns, sending a fifth-round pick and a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft in return.

 

 

 

 

Smith, who has been effective throughout his career at multiple stops, gives the Lions a veteran presence on the edge. However, head coach Dan Campbell isn’t rushing to integrate Smith immediately. According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Campbell noted that Smith was on his bye week when the trade was finalized, and the Lions coach emphasized the importance of allowing Smith to rest and rejoin the team when ready.

 

 

 

 

 

“I thought that was important,” Campbell said, per Birkett. “I mean, he’s been in this league a while, and they were actually just going on their bye week when he got the call from us and everything got done, so let him do what he needs to do, refresh, get back here Friday.

 

 

 

 

Lions seem like a juggernaut in a wide-open NFC

Many of the NFC’s top contenders have faced challenges this season. The San Francisco 49ers have been plagued by injuries and inconsistency, the Green Bay Packers have been hindered by multiple injuries to Jordan Love, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have lost key receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions have overcome adversity of their own, losing star defensive player Aidan Hutchinson to a serious leg injury in the midst of what was shaping up to be a Defensive Player of the Year campaign. Despite this setback, the Lions have continued to dominate, looking nearly unstoppable as they run through their opponents.

 

 

 

 

Since a loss to the Buccaneers in Week 2, the Lions have won six straight games, many of them in commanding fashion. In Week 6, they traveled to Dallas and routed the Cowboys 47-9. A few weeks later, they steamrolled the Tennessee Titans 52-14.

 

 

 

 

In Week 9, the Lions delivered one of their most dominant performances yet, taking on the Green Bay Packers in a fierce NFC North rivalry. At Lambeau Field, Detroit cruised to a 24-14 victory, with the game being far more one-sided than the scoreline suggests.

 

 

 

 

Under Dan Campbell’s leadership, the Lions are firing on all cylinders. Jared Goff is almost flawless in the passing game, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery are running through defenses with ease, and the defense is playing disciplined football, preventing big plays. While it’s hard to expect them to maintain this level of play all season, they’re proving to be a tough team to beat when they’re playing at their best.