D espite being the AFC champions and Super Bowl LIX runners-up, the Kansas City Chiefs are in the midst of a rebuild. To maintain their chances of returning to the NFL's big game, the team needs to retool several of its units, starting with giving its linebacking corps a boost by signing an elite pass rusher.

The salary cap and free agency demands, plus the performance issues they had last year, are forcing the front office to rethink its hiring strategy . The Chiefs will have to choose whether to re-sign offensive or defensive players and which unit they will reinforce in free agency .

This Monday, the team announced the signing of offensive tackle Jaylon Moore to guard Patrick Mahomes' blind side; however, they also need to address their defense's lack of sacks. Fortunately for them, one of the NFL's best pass rushers just hit free agency.

On Sunday, March 9, the Detroit Lions released star linebacker Za'Darius Smith . The 10-year veteran left the team after a rocky 2024 season, which he started with the Cleveland Browns , only to join the Lions in the final weeks of the regular season.

Despite the job instability, Smith still managed to tackle 35 opponents, 22 solo, and record four sacks . In his career, the University of Kentucky product has recorded 333 tackles, 220 unassisted, and 69 sacks.

Smith finished the two-year, $23 million contract he signed with the Browns in 2023. Because of that, the Chiefs' front office could offer him a team-friendly deal that would help them negotiate terms with some of the free agents they want to retain.

Where will Smith fit in with the Chiefs?

After securing star Nick Bolton to a three-year, $45 million contract extension, signing Smith would be a plus for head coac Andy Reid , defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and the Chiefs' blunt defense.

If they can pry him off the market, the Chiefs would be one step closer to assembling a team capable of leading them to their fourth consecutive Super Bowl and, who knows, maybe their third championship in four years.