Former Green Bay Packers edge rusher Za’Darius Smith is headed back to the NFC North. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Cleveland Browns are trading Smith to the Detroit Lions for a fifth-round pick in the 2025 draft and a late pick swap in the 2026 draft.
Smith, a two-time Pro Bowler over three seasons with the Packers, will go to Detroit to help a Lions pass rush that lost Aidan Hutchinson to a season-ending injury.
Since being released by the Packers in March of 2022, Smith has played one season with the Minnesota Vikings and 25 games over two seasons with the Cleveland Browns. This is the second time he’s been traded since the 2023 season.
Smith produced 5.0 sacks, seven quarterback hits and eight tackles for loss in nine games for the Browns to start 2024. According to Pro Football Focus, Smith has 27 pressures and a pass-rush win rate of 19.1 percent this season.
The Lions are 7-1 and leading the NFC North after cruising past the Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday.
Can Smith charge up the Lions’ pass-rushing group for the stretch run? The Packers will head to Detroit to play Smith and the Lions at Ford Field on Thursday, Dec. 5.
