With NFL rumors flying all over the place, the Cleveland Browns are reportedly on the board. Welcome back, Za’Darius Smith!
According to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, the Browns have re-signed their starting defensive end to a two-year deal. The deal has a base of $11.75 million per year and can become worth a total of $25 million in total with incentives.
Smith was a key piece of the Cleveland defense, a unit that churned out top-of-the-league production during the 2023 season. All-in-all, Smith finished the season with 5.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss. He totaled a massive 61 pressures, for the Browns as well while playing opposite of NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.
This is the first move the Browns have made this free agency after trading for wide receiver Jerry Jeudy before the start of the legal tampering period. The Browns now keep intact their defensive end rotation of Garrett, Smith, Ogbo Okoronkwo, and Alex Wright.