Browns trade Za'Darius Smith to Lions for edge rushing help
The Detroit Lions acquired three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Za\'Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday.
The Lions confirmed the move approximately two hours before the 4 p.m. ET trade deadline.
In addition to Smith, Detroit also received a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. In exchange, the Browns acquired a fifth-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft and a sixth-round pick in 2026.
Currently on a six-game winning streak, the NFC North-leading Lions (7-1) are seeking to strengthen their pass rush after losing defensive end Aidan Hutchinson to a broken tibia and fibula in his left leg last month. At the time of his injury, Hutchinson was leading the NFL with 7.5 sacks.
Smith, 32, has tallied five sacks and 23 tackles in nine games (all starts) this season.
A Pro Bowl pick in 2019, 2020, and 2022, Smith has accumulated 65 sacks, 321 tackles, and 10 forced fumbles in 132 career games (89 starts) with the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, and Browns.
The AFC North's last-place Browns (2-7) traded Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper and a sixth-round pick in 2025 to the Buffalo Bills last month in exchange for a third-round selection in 2025 and a seventh-rounder in 2026.
Additionally on Tuesday, NFL Network reported that Cleveland was releasing veteran defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson.
Jefferson, 31, has appeared in five games (no starts) in his first season with the Browns, amassing six tackles and one sack.
Throughout his career, Jefferson has recorded 198 tackles, 27.5 sacks, 79 quarterback hits, and four fumble recoveries in 108 games (62 starts) with the Seattle Seahawks (2016-19, 2022), Bills (2020), Las Vegas Raiders (2021), New York Jets (2023), and Browns.
