The Detroit Lions are walking a fine line between contender and pretender. After releasing veteran pass rusher Za’Darius Smith this offseason, they’ve done little to replace his presence waiting until the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft to address the edge rusher position. For a team with legitimate Super Bowl dreams, the inaction is baffling and potentially costly.
Could Von Miller be the answer to Lions’ post-Za’Darius Smith pass rush crisis?
At 36 years old, Von Miller isn’t the unstoppable force he once was but he’s far from washed. The Buffalo Bills released the two-time Super Bowl champion to clear cap space, not because he lacked production. In just 279 snaps last season, Miller logged six sacks and 32 pressures, earning an 83.0 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus, good for 11th among all edge defenders.With Aidan Hutchinson commanding double teams, a rotational pass rusher like Miller could thrive in Detroit. His experience, timing, and efficiency would be invaluable down the stretch. More importantly, his presence could help preserve Hutchinson for a playoff run, something the current depth chart can’t guarantee.
Lions’ cap concerns are valid— So is the urgency to win
General manager Brad Holmes has acknowledged the team’s financial constraints, which partly explains letting Smith walk instead of paying him the $11 million he was due. But Miller could come cheaper especially this late in free agency, and especially if he’s motivated to chase another ring.That’s where the Lions have leverage. They’re one of the NFL’s fastest-rising teams, with a strong locker room, an aggressive mindset, and a real shot at making noise in the playoffs. A player like Miller, even in a limited role, could be the spark that turns a good defense into a dominant one.Also Read: Bill Belichick’s girlfriend Jordon Hudson faces unexpected struggles in Miss Maine USA Pageant votingChampionship windows don’t stay open long. Detroit has momentum, talent, and belief but ignoring the edge rusher hole could undo it all. Relying on late-round rookies or untested backups to replace a proven disruptor like Smith is a gamble that championship teams don’t make. Signing Von Miller wouldn’t be a splash, it would be a statement. A statement that the Lions are all in. And if they’re serious about making it to February, it’s a move they can’t afford not to make.
