Buckle up. The Green Bay Packers’ upcoming clash with the Detroit Lions might be about to get a cinematic twist.

Za’Darius Smith couldn’t hide how much he enjoyed helping the Lions beat the Packers late last season. His ugly exit from Green Bay sparked a revenge tour with the Lions after the trade deadline. Who’s ready for Round 2? Nothing has happened yet, but it sure looks like we might get it when the Lions visit Lambeau Field in less than two weeks.

There has been speculation all summer about Smith rejoining the Lions, and the Pro Bowler has made it clear he wants to return to Detroit. While it hasn’t happened yet, the team’s surprising roster cuts seem to point toward it.

Lions’ roster cuts clear path for a Za’Darius Smith return just in time for Packers clash in Week 1

We, again, have to stress that Smith hasn’t signed with the Lions. Maybe he won’t. But based on how many talented pass-rushers Detroit is letting go ahead of the roster cutdown deadline, it’s beginning to look realistic.

The Lions’ decision to cut preseason standout Nate Lynn stood out. Candace Pedraza of SideLion Report believes it could lead to a Smith reunion.

“Smith and the Lions have been in a back and forth public negotiation throughout this offseason, with neither side ever getting antsy enough to get a deal done,” Pedraza writes.

“Detroit’s up to something. That much is clear. This is beyond just keeping the best of the best on the roster, especially as the team is all too aware of how quickly injuries and the lack of proper backups can sink a season. Smith just seems primed to be next up on their priority list once more cuts are finalized.”

It’s hard to argue with that. Smith has made it clear that he’s interested in returning to the Lions. This summer, he told USA Today that he hopes to “get back to where I want to be in Detroit.”

The Lions cutting talented pass-rushers like it’s going out of fashion would suddenly make sense. They have left themselves painfully thin at a premium position behind Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport.

It potentially sets the stage for a reunion with Smith, and the timing couldn’t be more fitting.

He didn’t participate in the preseason or training camp. How about his first snap comes at Lambeau Field against the Packers? The Week 1 showdown is a big-time contest already, but that would add another fun storyline to the drama.

We’ll see. Nothing is confirmed, and the Lions waiting all summer to sign him isn’t entirely logical. It would’ve made more sense to re-sign Smith sooner to get reps in a new system.

But maybe this was the plan all along. The Lions have made some surprising cuts, and it has seemingly opened the door for a Smith vs. Packers showdown in a little under two weeks.