Za’Darius Smith re-signed with the Cleveland Browns to help them win a Super Bowl but now finds himself being traded to the Detroit Lions.
With the Browns struggling this season, they agreed to trade the veteran pass rusher to the NFC North-leading Lions, who needed help with their pass rush after Aidan Hutchinson suffered a leg injury.
Cleveland sent Smith and a 2026 seventh-round pick to Detroit in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick. Both teams announced the trade, which will be finalized once Smith passes a physical. Detroit shared the news on their X account.
The trade came just before the 4 p.m. deadline, though Smith’s move had been expected for weeks as the Browns (2-7) have been struggling and looking to gather draft picks for what seems like the start of a rebuild.
Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry could make more trades as the team looks ahead to 2025 and beyond.
In addition to trading Smith, the Browns also released defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson, who has been inactive for the last four weeks. Jefferson had signed a one-year deal with the Browns in March.
Berry will address the media during his annual bye-week press conference on Wednesday, where one key topic will be the team’s plans at quarterback.
Deshaun Watson, the team’s starting quarterback, suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury two weeks ago. His $230 million contract is putting the Browns in a tough financial situation, with a $73 million salary-cap hit expected in 2025 and 2026.
This trade is the second major move for Cleveland in recent weeks. Last month, they traded their top wide receiver Amari Cooper, along with a 2026 sixth-round pick, to Buffalo in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 seventh-round pick.
While the Browns are not heading to the playoffs this season, the Lions (7-1) are aiming for a championship and needed to fill the big gap left on their defensive line after Aidan Hutchinson broke his leg on October 13 in a game against Dallas.
Za’Darius Smith had helped the Browns reach the playoffs last year and signed a two-year, $23 million contract with Cleveland in March.
Cleveland first traded for Smith in 2023, bringing him over from Minnesota to help boost their defensive line alongside Pro Bowler Myles Garrett. Smith played a key role in that defense, and the Browns went 11-6, earning a wild-card spot while Garrett won the AP Defensive Player of the Year award.
At 32 years old, Smith is a three-time Pro Bowler who brings both experience and a strong pass-rushing ability. He has 65 career sacks, including five so far this season.
After the Browns’ loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Smith heard reports that he was going to be traded to Detroit. “Oh, that happened?” Smith said when asked by reporters. “See you all.”
Now, Smith is returning to the NFC North, where he played for the Green Bay Packers for three years and the Minnesota Vikings for one. He was originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens, where he spent four seasons.
Before the trade, Browns Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward expressed how much Smith would be missed.
“Za’Darius is an amazing teammate,” Ward said after Sunday’s 27-10 loss to the Chargers. “A captain on this team, a leader on this team, and a playmaker out there on the field. Love having Za’Darius out there on the field.”
“One of my favorite additions to the team when he came on. He’s a great player, and a great guy in the locker room. Definitely appreciate Za’Darius. The player he is and the guy he is.”
