Following a disappointing 2-7 start, the Cleveland Browns have agreed to a trade that will send star pass rusher Za’Darius Smith to the Detroit Lions. Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler, spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons with the Browns but has also played for the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings.
Sources: The #Browns are trading standout edge Za’Darius Smith to the #Lions, who add a key presence on the edge to help make up for the loss of Aidan Hutchinson.
It’s Smith and a 2026 7th going to Detroit for a 2025 5th and a 2026 6th. A major move. pic.twitter.com/gtCs86rL97
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 5, 2024
Browns, Lions, Agree to Za’Darius Smith Trade
Za’Darius Smith has been among the few bright spots on an otherwise disappointing Cleveland Browns team. Starting in all nine games, the pass rusher has recorded 23 tackles and five sacks while lined up opposite Myles Garrett. While the team’s record puts them outside of the playoff picture, most of the blame rests on the offense. Deshaun Watson was in the midst of a historically bad season, and it’s too late for backup quarterback Jameis Winston to turn the ship around.
Smith originally entered the league as a fourth-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Selected by the Baltimore Ravens, the Kentucky product immediately made a name for himself, recording 5.5 sacks in 2015 games as a rookie. While he never earned a full-time role in Baltimore, he finished his tenure there with 18.5 sacks in 58 games.
The Green Bay Packers believed that Smith could thrive in a larger role and signed him to a four-year, $66 million deal. The pass rusher rewarded that faith by recording 13.5 sacks in 2019 and 12.5 in 2020, earning Pro Bowl honors in both seasons under head coach Matt LaFleur. Unfortunately, injuries limited Smith to just one game in 2022 and the Packers released him ahead of the 2022 season. He landed on his feet, signing a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings and recording 10 sacks while earning the third Pro Bowl selection of his career.
Prior to the trade, Za’Darius Smith has appeared in 131 games while making 88 starts. While on the field, the Kentucky product has recorded 65 sacks, 321 tackles, 81 tackles-for-loss, 162 quarterback hits, and 10 forced fumbles.
Main Photo: Jeff Lange – USA Today Sports
