The Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, and Cincinnati Bengals would be ideal fits for one of the more notable free agents still on the market. And in his best remaining 2025 NFL free agents article, PFSN’s Kyle Soppe believes that three-time Pro Bowler Za’Darius Smith could be playing for a contender in 2025.
Chiefs, Bengals, and Rams Make Up Best Landing Spots for Za’Darius Smith
While it was always a possibility, Smith was a somewhat surprising cut by the Detroit Lions and raised some question marks about how he should be viewed as a free agent. Entering his age-33 season, there’s naturally a concern, and his pedigree means the price could be high.
However, we are talking about a player who has missed only two games in the last three years and has accumulated 24.5 sacks during that time.
A 15.9% pressure rate in 2024 does not scream “must sign,” but given that Smith played nearly 600 snaps, had a solid pressure-to-sack conversion rate, and a tackle rate greater than 10%, there is still a lot to like about him.
As a one-year signing, Smith can be a valuable impact player for any contending team. The fact that he has been on four teams in four years makes you wonder if there is some kind of red flag, but he is certainly still talented enough to play a role. There should be plenty of suitors for him this offseason, even if it’s just a one-year deal.
What Would Smith Bring to His New Team?
After finding a home with the Green Bay Packers in 2019, Smith amassed 26 regular-season sacks in his first two years with the team. But following those two Pro Bowl seasons, Smith played just 18 snaps in 2021 as a back injury forced him to have surgery and miss significant time.
While his last double-digit sack season came in 2022, Smith is a solid rotational option on any defensive line. All three of the aforementioned teams finished in the bottom half in sacks in 2024, despite Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson leading the NFL in that category.
Hendrickson’s future remains up in the air as the team checks between the sofa cushions for change to extend his contract. Cincinnati also lost seven-year starting defensive end Sam Hubbard to retirement this offseason, so Smith would be a welcome addition.
The Rams moved on from future Hall of Fame defensive lineman Aaron Donald smoothly in 2024. Drafting Florida State pair Jared Verse and Braden Fiske in the opening two rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft proved a masterstroke, as the Rams were the third-most efficient team in quarterback hurries. While LA’s young defense is performing admirably, Smith would bring a veteran presence on that side of the ball.
Kansas City, meanwhile, will be looking to reload for another shot at a Super Bowl. Defensive end Michael Danna started 12 games in 2024 but managed just 3.5 sacks despite lining up alongside Chris Jones and George Karlaftis. If Smith is willing to join at the right price, he would be a great new addition to Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.
While no longer at his best, Smith, who turns 33 around the start of the 2025 season, should still bring solid production to whichever team he signs with in 2025.