Browns trade DE Za’Darius Smith to Lions, who need pass rush help after Aidan Hutchinson’s injury

CLEVELAND (AP) — Za’Darius Smith re-signed with Cleveland to chase a Super Bowl title, never imagining he’d take a detour through Detroit.

With their season in disarray, the Browns agreed to trade the veteran edge rusher on Tuesday to the NFC North-leading Lions, who needed to speed up their star pursuit. Aidan Hutchinson’s leg injury.

Cleveland sent Smith and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Lions in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick.

Both teams announced the deal, which will become official once Smith passes a medical. Detroit welcomed the three-time Pro Bowler to their X account.

The teams agreed to the deal hours before 4 p.m trading termbut Smith’s move has been rumored for weeks, with the Browns (2-7) in a pinch and looking to acquire assets for what appears to be the start of another rebuild.

Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry could offload more players as the team begins plans for 2025 and beyond.

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.

Berry will hold his annual farewell news conference on Wednesday, when one of the main topics will be the team’s plans at quarterback.

Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury two weeks ago, and his $230 million contract has put the team in financial trouble, with a $73 million salary cap hit for 2025 and 2026.

Smith is the club’s second major trade in recent weeks. last month, The Browns traded for the No. 1 wide receiver Amari Cooper and a 2026 sixth-round pick to Buffalo for a 2025 third-rounder and a 2026 seventh-rounder.

While the Browns are going nowhere this season, the Lions (7-1) have title aspirations and need someone to help fill the massive void created on their defensive line after Hutchinson broke his leg on Oct. 13 in a game in Dallas.

After helping the Browns reach the playoffs last season, Smith signed a two-year, $23 million contract in March.

He was originally acquired by Cleveland in 2023 in a trade with Minnesota because the Browns felt he could help unlock Pro Bowler Myles Garrett up front. Smith did that and more as the Browns went 11-6, received a wild-card berth last season and Garrett was voted the AP Defensive Player of the Year.

A three-time Pro Bowler, Smith, 32, gives the Lions experience and a proven pass rusher. Smith has 65 career sacks, including five this season.

After Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargerssmith was told there was a report he would be heading to Detroit.

“Oh, that’s what happened?” Smith told reporters. “See you all.”

He now returns to the NFC North after spending one year with the Vikings and three with the Green Bay Packers. Smith was originally drafted in the fourth round in 2015 by Baltimore and spent four seasons with the Ravens.

Before the deal, Browns Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward said Smith would be missed.

“Za’Darius is an amazing teammate,” Ward said after Sunday’s 27-10 loss to the Chargers. “A captain in this team, a leader in this team and a playmaker on the pitch. I love having Za’Darius on the field.

“One of my favorite additions to the team when he came in. He’s a great player and a great guy in the locker room. I definitely appreciate Za’Darius. The player is the guy he is.”

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