The Detroit Lions are parting ways with one of their top edge rushers, making plans to release edge rusher Za’Darius Smith, a source confirmed to The Detroit News.

Smith, 32, joined the Lions in a move with the Cleveland Browns at last year’s trade deadline. In eight regular-season games for Detroit, he tallied four sacks and was tied for second in the league in pressures (20) from Weeks 11-18.

The Lions will incur $5.7 million in savings for the 2025 season and $5.2 million in 2026, but the move leaves a void at one of the league’s most important positions. By releasing Smith before March 15, the third day of the new league year, the Lions will avoid taking on any dead cap.

It’s still possible the Lions bring Smith back into the fold under a reworked contract. Detroit bolstered its defensive line over the weekend by reportedly agreeing to terms with edge rusher Marcus Davenport, who joined the team last offseason but missed 15 games with various injuries, most notably a torn pec.

Barring any further re-signings, the Lions will enter Monday’s negotiating period with an edge defender group of Davenport, Aidan Hutchinson, Josh Paschal, Isaac Ukwu and Nate Lynn; Ukwu and Lynn have a combined two NFL appearances.

Teams will be allowed to negotiate with free agents when the legal tampering window opens Monday at 4 p.m. Free agents officially will be able to sign new contracts when the new league year begins Wednesday at 4 p.m.