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Cleveland Browns defensive end Za\u2019Darius Smith (99) celebrates a sack of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) during the second half of an NFL football game in Cleveland, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo\/David Richard)<\/p>\n
Za\u2019Darius Smith re-signed with Cleveland to chase a Super Bowl title, never imagining he\u2019d take a detour through Detroit.<\/p>\n
With their season in shambles, the Browns agreed to trade the experienced edge rusher on Tuesday to the NFC North-leading Lions, who needed to bolster their pass rush following star Aidan Hutchinson\u2019s leg injury.<\/p>\n
Cleveland sent Smith and a seventh-round pick in 2026 to the Lions in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2025 and a sixth-round pick in 2026.<\/p>\n
Both teams announced the deal, which will become official once Smith passes a physical. Detroit welcomed the three-time Pro Bowler on their X account.<\/p>\n
The teams agreed on the deal hours before the 4 p.m. trade deadline, but Smith\u2019s move has been rumored for weeks with the Browns (2-7) in a tailspin and seeking to acquire draft assets for what appears to be the start of another rebuild.<\/p>\n
Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry could unload more players as the team begins plans for 2025 and beyond.<\/p>\n
The Browns also released defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson, who has been a healthy scratch the past four weeks. The 31-year-old signed a one-year deal with Cleveland in March.<\/p>\n
Berry will hold his annual bye-week news conference on Wednesday, when one of the main subjects will be the team\u2019s plans at quarterback.<\/p>\n
Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury two weeks ago and his $230 million contract has put the team in a financial bind with a $73 million salary-cap hit for 2025 and 2026.<\/p>\n
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Smith is the club\u2019s second major trade in recent weeks. Last month, the Browns traded No. 1 wide receiver Amari Cooper and a sixth-round pick in 2026 to Buffalo for a 2025 third-rounder and a 2026 seventh-rounder.<\/p>\n
While the Browns are going nowhere this season, the Lions (7-1) have title aspirations and needed someone to help fill the massive void created on their defensive line after Hutchinson broke his leg on Oct. 13 in a game at Dallas.<\/p>\n
After helping the Browns get to the playoffs last season, Smith signed a two-year, $23 million contract in March.<\/p>\n
He was initially acquired by Cleveland in 2023 in a trade with Minnesota as the Browns felt he could help unlock Pro Bowler Myles Garrett up front. Smith did that and more as the Browns went 11-6, got a wild-card berth last season and Garrett was voted the AP Defensive Player of the Year.<\/p>\n
A three-time Pro Bowler, the 32-year-old Smith gives the Lions experience and a proven pass rusher. Smith has 65 career sacks, including five this season.<\/p>\n
Following Sunday\u2019s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Smith was told there was a report he would be headed to Detroit.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, that happened?\u201d Smith said to reporters. \u201cSee you all.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now he\u2019s on his way back to the NFC North after spending a year with the Vikings and three with the Green Bay Packers. Smith was initially drafted in the fourth round in 2015 by Baltimore and spent four seasons with the Ravens.<\/p>\n
Before the deal, Browns Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward said Smith would be missed.<\/p>\n
\u201cZa\u2019Darius is an amazing teammate,\u201d Ward said following Sunday\u2019s 27-10 loss to the Chargers. \u201cA captain on this team, a leader on this team, and a playmaker out there on the field. Love having Za\u2019Darius out there on the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of my favorite additions to the team when he came on. He\u2019s a great player, and a great guy in the locker room. Definitely appreciate Za\u2019Darius. The player he is and the guy he is.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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