Za'Darius Smith of Detroit Lions looking on.Za’Darius Smith (Photo by @DetroitPodcast Twitter)
New Detroit Lions star Za’Darius Smith broke his silence on a deleted tweet that sent social media into a frenzy, before his trade to the NFC North leaders was official.

Last Sunday, news broke that the Lions were about to acquire Za’Darius Smith in a blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Browns. Hours before Tuesday’s deadline, Smith sent out the following cryptic tweet that he later deleted:

Smith’s tweet caused a stir on social media, with some Lions fans panicking and wondering if the trade had fallen through. But while speaking to reporters on Friday, Smith shared a hilarious explanation behind the deleted tweet saga.

“It was just taking too long (the trade). But obviously, after that, it got it done,” Smith said. “I deleted it…happy to be here. Happy to be with this football team.”

Fair point, Mr. Smith.

The three-time Pro Bowler was traded to the Lions (along with a 2026 seventh-round pick) in exchange for 2025 fifth and 2026 sixth-round draft picks. Smith had five sacks in nine games for Cleveland before the trade.

 

Za’Darius Smith also fits a pressing need for the Lions in the front seven. They lost superstar Aidan Hutchinson to a fractured tibia and fibula, and it’s unclear if the 2022 second-overall pick will return this year.

Smith spent his first four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens (2015 to 2018) before joining the Green Bay Packers in 2019 free agency. Smith earned his first two Pro Bowl nods in Green Bay (2019 and 2020), recording 26 sacks over that span.

Za’Darius Smith Gets Another Chance To Chase A Ring

The Packers came awfully close to a Super Bowl in 2019 and 2020, losing in both NFC Championship Games. The Packers went one-and-done in 2021, as did Smith’s Minnesota Vikings in 2022. Ditto for his Cleveland squad in 2023.

But Smith gets another much-deserved chance at pursuing a Super Bowl with the NFC-leading Lions. Detroit looks poised to run away with a second straight NFC North division crown, and they’re in the driver’s seat for the conference’s only first-round bye.

VIDEO: Detroit Lions Player Caught On Camera Trying To Snap Jordan Love’s Foot In Half With A Dirty Ankle Lock

Jordan Love gets put in an ankle lock by a Lions player.Jordan Love (Photo via FOX Sports)
Detroit Lions star James Houston got away with a WWE-style ankle lock on Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love that somehow went undetected by the refs.

Lions defensive back Brian Branch was ejected from the game for what the refs deemed an illegal hit on Packers wide receiver Bo Melton. On the same play, however, the refs missed what should have been another foul for Houston’s ankle lock on Jordan Love.

Here’s the angle of Branch’s hit that led to an ejection:

And here’s the clip of James Houston putting Jordan Love in an ankle lock, similar to the move that WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle performed on his opponents:

 

What can we say? The hatred between these two NFC North foes is at its peak now that they’re both in Super Bowl contention. Certainly, no love is lost between Dan Campbell’s squad and Matt LaFleur’s guys.

The Lions carried a 17-3 lead into the locker room. A victory would move them to 7-1 and likely end Green Bay’s hopes of snagging the NFC North crown.

Jordan Love Is Struggling vs. Lions

Love had a miserable first half against the Lions, completing just 10 pass attempts for 120 yards, no touchdown and a back-breaking pick-six that turned the game upside down.