The Detroit Lions might be looking at their own celebrity duo, as Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift shouldn’t be the only ones enjoying themselves.
A previous Lions player, who might return in 2025, is said to be in a relationship with one of the major stars of Detroit’s hip-hop scene. Step aside Kelce and Swift, a new dynamic duo has arrived in the Motor City.
Ex-Lions Player Za’Darius Smith Discovers Romance in Detroit
NFL athlete Za’Darius Smith and Detroit hip-hop sensation and actress Kash Doll are now official on Instagram. Earlier this month, a few videos appeared, through The Shade Room, showing the two enjoying themselves in Ghana. One video features them having fun at an event, while another video depicts Za’Darius with his hand on Kash’s shoulder in what seems to be a nightclub.
Currently, both Smith and Kash Doll have posted pictures of one another on their official Instagram Stories. The images shared on their stories and spread on social media depict the couple strolling together, with one image showing them holding hands in what seems to be an elegant corridor, possibly in a hotel.
“Kash Doll is a rapper and actress hailing from Detroit who has greatly influenced the music scene in the past ten years,” is mentioned in the about section of her official website. “Recognized for her self-assured presentation and bold approach, she initially gained fame with tracks such as ‘For Everybody’ and ‘Ice Me Out.’”
It seems that Smith and Kash Doll are definitely involved with each other. This might provide the player with a reason to remain in Detroit, especially if the Lions return with a fresh proposal amidst some unexpected developments.
The Detroit Lions and Za’Darius Smith
The Lions let go of Za’Darius Smith in the offseason to create $5.7 million in cap space, but many NFL analysts and experts did not view the decision as positive. It was an unexpected decision, particularly because Detroit traded a fifth and a sixth-round pick for him at the trade deadline.
Smith possesses strong statistics as well. In the 2024 season with the Lions, he recorded four sacks, 10 quarterback hits, and three tackles for loss in eight games, achieving a defensive grade of 74.7 on Pro Football Focus. He’s a three-time Pro Bowler and appeared to find his rhythm in Detroit.
Thus, Smith is currently a free agent and still lacks a team. However, he ranks among the best in his position, so it would be unexpected if he hasn’t secured a place by the beginning of the upcoming season.
Some believe Smith will return to Detroit, and it appears that Kash Doll would be pleased about it. In a March 23 article for SideLion Report, Brad Berreman points out, “As the third week of free agency nears, Smith is still on the market, making it natural to speculate about his potential return to the Lions.” It would seem improbable that his release was due to a request for a pay cut. However, if he isn’t receiving the offers he anticipated in the market, the possibility of returning remains theoretically available.