- The Detroit Lions face a challenging offseason as they work to improve their roster. A key decision will be whether to move on from a few players who, despite their previous contributions, may no longer align with the team’s future plans. Two names that could be at risk are Za’Darius Smith and Graham Glasgow.
Za’Darius Smith, who was acquired in a midseason trade with the Cleveland Browns, provided a much-needed boost to the Lions’ pass rush. However, his impact wasn’t enough to push the team into the playoffs. Now, the Lions must decide what to do with Smith’s contract.
Smith’s 2025 cap hit is $5.727 million, but the Lions have the option to cut him with no dead cap penalty before March 15, the third day of the new league year. If they keep him past that date, his $2 million signing bonus from his Browns contract would become dead cap. The Lions have little reason to retain him under his current deal, and releasing him before March 15 would allow them to avoid the bonus and save money.
Graham Glasgow, who rejoined Detroit last offseason on a three-year, $20 million contract, was brought in to strengthen the offensive line. However, his first season back didn’t meet expectations. As he enters his age-33 season, it’s apparent that Glasgow might be on the downside of his career.
Glasgow’s 2025 cap hit is $7.437 million, and cutting him would lead to a $5.312 million dead cap charge, but it would free up $2.125 million in 2025. Considering his struggles last season, releasing Glasgow might be a reasonable option for the Lions, though it would still come with some financial cost.
With important decisions to make in order to create cap space and build a Super Bowl-caliber team, the Lions are faced with tough choices regarding Smith and Glasgow. Both bring valuable experience, but given their contracts and recent performances, it’s possible the team will part ways with both in the coming months. The offseason in Detroit promises to be an interesting one.