Latest news with #Za'DariusSmith
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Key dates to know for the Detroit Lions on the 2025-26 NFL calendar
Key dates to know for the Detroit Lions on the 2025-26 NFL calendar The NFL has released the official league calendar of key dates for the coming season. There are quite a few that are pertinent for the Detroit Lions as the team heads into its late-spring hiatus. July 15: Franchise tag deadline The Lions didn't use the franchise or transition tags on any free agents in 2025, so this doesn't really apply to Detroit. Late July: Training camp dates Teams are allowed to begin training camp 47 days prior to the date of their first regular-season game. The Lions get an exemption for this because they are playing in the Hall of Fame Game. The Lions will release the exact training camp dates to the public soon. July 31: Hall of Fame Game: Lions vs. Chargers in Canton, OH Detroit opens the preseason with an extra exhibition game, which is why the Lions' training camp report date is earlier than for all other teams besides the Chargers. More: Detroit Lions preseason schedule for 2025: Dates, times and opponents now set August 21-23: The final game of the preseason for all teams Detroit hosts the Houston Texans on August 23rd at 1 p.m. Aug 26: Roster cutdown deadline Rosters must be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. August 27: Practice squad starts Waiver claims from the prior day's cuts are processed, and teams can form a 16-player practice squad (17 if a qualifying international player) once the waiver claims are completed. Aug 31: Final day of preseason training camp for all clubs The league officially shifts into regular-season mode on September 1st. September 23: Waiver claim changes The NFL waiver claim order changes from the final 2024 standings to the current NFL records, following the completion of Week 3 games. The current order is the same as the 2025 NFL Draft order (without trades), so Detroit is 28th. Post-Week 4: Injured players can return Players who began the season on the I.R. list or the NFI/PIP lists are eligible to be activated. November 4: NFL Trade Deadline The Lions were active at the 2024 deadline, acquiring Za'Darius Smith from the Browns. November 5th: Veteran waiver changes Following the trade deadline, all veterans with at least four accrued NFL seasons are subject to waiver claims if their team releases them. Before this time, those players are free to sign anywhere without restriction. January 5: Fifth-year option period begins For the Lions, this pertains to RB Jahmyr Gibbs and LB Jack Campbell. Note that the Lions can sign either player to an extension without exercising the fifth-year option. January 5th is also the deadline for underclassmen to declare their entrance into the 2026 NFL Draft class. Jan 10-12: Wild Card Weekend Jan 17-18: Divisional Playoffs Jan 25: AFC and NFC Championship Games February 8: Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, California) Here's hoping the Lions earn their first-ever Super Bowl appearance. February 17: Franchise tag period begins Business moves forward to the offseason, and teams become eligible to place the franchise tag on pending free agents. For Detroit, that (currently) includes players like Aidan Hutchinson, Jameson Williams and Amik Robertson. February 23-March 2: NFL Scouting Combine The annual scouting extravaganza in Indianapolis is also typically the first chance to meet with GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell following the end of the Lions season. March 11: Free agency begins The legal tampering period begins on March 9th, with teams eligible to sign free agents beginning at 4 p.m. ET on the 11th. March 29-April 1: NFL league meeting This is the meeting where rule changes are voted upon, among other functions of the annual meeting in Phoenix. April 20: Offseason programs begin for teams with returning head coaches Barring something completely unforeseen on the coaching front, the Lions and Dan Campbell are permitted to begin the 2026 offseason program on April 20th. April 23-25: The 2026 NFL Draft Next year's draft is in Pittsburgh.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chiefs Predicted to Sign $79 Million Star for Patrick Mahomes' ‘Revenge Tour'
After losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Charles Omenihu appeared on "The Up & Adams Show," where he revealed that quarterback Patrick Mahomes is ready for a "revenge tour." Throughout the offseason, the Chiefs have made several big signings to help with Mahomes' goal, including signing left tackle Jaylon Moore (two years, $30 million) and cornerback Kristian Fulton (two years, $20 million). Advertisement One area of the team that didn't see much improvement, though, is the pass rush, which last season had 39 sacks (tied for 18th), 171 pressures (ranked sixth) and 59 hurries (tied for seventh). They're solid numbers, but Kansas City could use some help, and that's why Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus has them signing free-agent EDGE Za'Darius Smith, when naming one final offseason move for each AFC team. Detroit Lions EDGE Za'Darius Smith.© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images "Inserting a proven veteran option on the edge, such as Za'Darius Smith, would boost the unit," Cameron wrote. "Across his past three seasons, Smith has generated a 90.1 PFF pass-rush grade, placing him in the 93rd percentile." Advertisement He could certainly be a big addition for the Chiefs, because last season with the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions, he appeared in 17 games and accumulated 35 tackles, nine sacks, 17 quarterback hits and 25 pressures. Throughout his 10 seasons, Smith has also proven to be one of the league's more effective pass rushers, racking up 333 tackles, 69 sacks, 173 quarterback hits, three Pro Bowl appearances and making $79 million in career earnings. If the Chiefs' front office shares the same sentiment as Mahomes going into the 2025 season, then investing some of their $11.9 million cap space into someone like Smith could prove very valuable. Related: Cowboys, Micah Parsons Deal Receives Unfortunate Update After George Pickens Trade
USA Today
22-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Vikings draft picks 2025: A look at all four selections
Vikings draft picks 2025: A look at all four selections The Minnesota Vikings are scheduled to have a league-low four picks in this week's NFL Draft. One was acquired via the compensatory pick formula. Two others were acquired via trade. Round 1: 24th Overall Minnesota is slated to have the 24th overall pick because it had the best record among all six Wild Card losers in this year's playoffs. But because the Vikings are only scheduled to have four picks, don't be surprised to see them move down to accumulate more picks when they're on the clock Thursday. That trade could push them out of the first round altogether. Round 3: 97th Overall (Compensatory Pick) This was the highest available compensatory pick awarded, as Kirk Cousins's lucrative four-year, $180 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons outweighed the money the Vikings gave to their own free agents. Round 5: 139th Overall (From Cleveland) The 139th overall pick was one of two fifth-round picks the Browns sent to the Vikings to acquire Za'Darius Smith during the 2023 offseason. Round 6: 187th Overall (From San Francisco) The Vikings received the 187th pick as part of the trade for running back Jordan Mason. In exchange, they sent the 160th overall pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick to the 49ers to get Mason.
Reuters
09-03-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Reports: Lions release 3-time Pro Bowl EDGE Za'Darius Smith
March 9 - The Detroit Lions released edge rusher Za'Darius Smith, according to multiple media reports on Sunday. The Lions acquired Smith, 32, in a trade with the Cleveland Browns in November. In eight games for Detroit, he had 12 combined tackles and four sacks. For the season, the three-time Pro Bowl defender totaled nine sacks and 35 tackles. He posted a PFF pass rush grade of 76.5 (21st-highest among edge rushers). A fourth-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2015, Smith has played 10 NFL seasons, racking up 69 career sacks, spending time with the Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Browns and Lions. The move saves the Lions $5.7 million in cap space. Smith's contract had also included a $6.99 million option bonus on March 14. --Field Level Media
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Detroit Lions release veteran edge rusher Za'Darius Smith: Report
Za'Darius Smith's time as a Detroit Lion is reportedly over. ESPN and NFL Network reported on Sunday the Lions are releasing the veteran defensive end one day before the NFL's legal tampering period for free agency begins. Smith joined the Lions as a midseason trade in an effort to boost Detroit's pass rush after losing Aidan Hutchinson to a season-ending injury in October. The Lions sent the Cleveland Browns a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick in return for Smith and 2026 seventh-round pick. Smith, 32, had four sacks and three tackles for loss in eight games for the Lions and did not record a stat outside of a pass deflection in Detroit's divisional round loss to the Washington Commanders to end their season. Smith had one year remaining on a two-year, $23 million contract he signed with the Browns. According to Spotrac, the Lions saved $5.75 million in cap space by releasing Smith. Za'Darius Smith's release from the #Lions frees up $5.7M of space. The 32-year-old had a $6.99M option bonus due March acquired him at the deadline in exchange for a 5th & 6th round pick. — Spotrac (@spotrac) March 9, 2025 Two of the Lions' early roster moves also addressed the edge position. The Lions first re-signed linebacker Derrick Barnes, who typically plays on the line as the SAM linebacker in Detroit's scheme, to a three-year deal worth $25.5 million. On Saturday, the Lions re-signed defensive end Marcus Davenport to a one-year deal worth up to $4.75 million with incentives. Both Barnes and Davenport suffered season-ending injuries in Week 3. Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro in 2020, can now sign anywhere. He finished his 10th year in the NFL and has 69 career sacks in his time with the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Browns and Lions. Jared Ramsey is a sports reporter for the Detroit Free Press. Follow Jared on X or Bluesky, and email him at jramsey@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions release veteran edge rusher Za'Darius Smith: Report
