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The Cleveland Browns are reportedly trading edge rusher Za'Darius Smith to the Detroit Lions, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport on Tuesday (November 5), hours before the NFL trade deadline.
Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler signed through the 2025 NFL season, will fill the void on the Lions defense after star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson suffered a season-ending injury earlier this month.
"Sources: The #Browns are trading standout edge Za'Darius Smith to the #Lions, who add a key presence on the edge to help make up for the loss of Aidan Hutchinson. It’s Smith and a 2026 7th going to Detroit for a 2025 5th and a 2026 6th. A major move," Rapoport wrote.
Smith recorded 23 tackles, five sacks, six tackles for loss and seven QB hits while starting in all of the Browns' first nine games prior to the trade. The former Kentucky standout was acquired by the Browns after requesting a trade one year after signing a three-year, $42 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022.
Smith spent his first four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens and three seasons with the Green Bay Packers, prior to his lone season in Minnesota, having been selected as a second-team All-Pro in 2020 and a Pro Bowler in 2019, 2020 and 2022. The Lions currently have the best record in the NFC and second-best in the NFL at 7-1.