Za'Darius Smith to Browns Timeline
The Browns agreed to a trade with the Minnesota Vikings late Friday for three-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Za'Darius Smith to bolster the team's defensive front.
The Vikings receive 2024 and 2025 fifth-round picks in exchange for Smith, a 2025 sixth-round and 2025 seventh-round selection.
The Browns were doing their homework on free-agent defensive help, as well as keeping an eye on the trade market to add pieces to the new-look defense, led by coordinator Jim Schwartz.
The trade for Smith may have caught many off guard, however, the Browns have had him on their radar for some time now.
Cleveland's interest in Smith actually goes at least a year back, stemming from the 2022 off-season.
Last year when Smith was an unrestricted free agent, there was a strong mutual interest between the Browns and Smith.
The Browns were in communication with Smith and his representatives in hopes of striking a free agent deal and pairing Smith with superstar Myles Garrett on the defensive line.
While the talks were ongoing between Smith and the Browns, Cleveland made it known they wanted to figure out their situation at quarterback prior to negotiating a deal that would have brought Smith to Cleveland, a source communicated to me.
The Browns never got the chance to offer an official contract to Smith, and his camp couldn't afford to wait any longer. Smith then agreed to a four-year, $35 million contract offer from the Baltimore Ravens.
However, after agreeing to terms with the Ravens, Smith backed out of the contract with Baltimore and decided to sign with the Minnesota Vikings, where he would have the opportunity to play alongside Pro Bowl edge-rusher Danielle Hunter.
Smith loved the idea of playing opposite Garrett and would've loved to be in Cleveland last season, however, ultimately chose Minnesota with the chance to play alongside Hunter.
Then, in early March, Smith informed Minnesota that he would like to be released.
Just days after Smith's request, the Vikings signed defensive end Marcus Davenport to a one-year deal, seemingly ending Smith's time in Minnesota. At that point, it was matter of when, how and where Smith would be dealt.
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who previously worked with Browns general manager Andrew Berry in Cleveland, allowed for Smith to have input on where his next home would be and to no surprise it ended up being Cleveland.
Smith agreed to a restructured contract to help facilitate the trade. He has one year left on his deal and will make $11.75 million this year with the opportunity to hit free agency in 2024.
