The Browns traded away the veteran ahead of last year’s trade deadline.
Cleveland may have witnessed the biggest turnaround since the Cavs came back from a 3-1 deficit to win the 2016 NBA Finals when the news broke of the Browns and Myles Garrett agreeing to an extension. Hours later, we received news on another pass rusher that the Browns actually traded ahead of last season’s deadline.
Za’Darius Smith has been reportedly released from the Detroit Lions just hours before the legal tampering period opens tomorrow. His run in Detroit was short-lived after the Lions acquired him from Cleveland for a fifth-round pick in this year’s draft and a late round pick swap in 2026.
The #Lions released Za’Darius Smith, per source. pic.twitter.com/GAuHfqPB6s
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 9, 2025
Smith was brought in to fill the void from Aidan Hutchinson’s season-ending injury and ended up recording four sacks with the Lions down the stretch. It appears that Detroit will renew their search for an edge rusher to pair with Hutchinson and Smith will look to continue his career elsewhere.
I wouldn’t expect a return to the Browns after the emergence of Isaiah McGuire who replaced Smith in the rotation after the trade.
Would you have any interest in bringing Smith back for 2025? Let us know in the comments below.