Za'Darius Smith Re-Signing With The Cleveland Browns
Za'Darius Smith is staying in Cleveland.
The 31-year-old, Smith finalized a deal on Monday to reunite with the Cleveland Browns on a two-year $23.5M deal. The deal cannot be finalized until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, when the new league year officially opens.
2023 was a unique year for Smith who came to Cleveland via trade, as the Browns shipped a sixth and seventh-round pick to Minnesota last offseason. The veteran end was coming off of a 10-sack campaign in 2022 with hopes of taking the pressure off of his new running mate Myles Garrett.
Dec 24, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) attempts to tackle Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (18) during the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Ultimately, the sack numbers never came but Smith did help free up Garrett to werak havoc en route to his first ever AP Defensive Player of the Year Award. Smith, meanwhile, finished the year with only 5.5 sacks but had 60 total pressures including 40 hurries.
The deal for Smith is both team and player-friendly, featuring incentives that can bring his earnings to $25M if met. He will receive a $12M base in year one where the team can then reassess his future going into year two.
For Smith, he is rejoining a defensive line unit that is reloading after an impressive 2023 season. Shortly after Smith re-signed, the Browns also finalized a deal to retain Maurice Hurst for the 2024 season continuing to beef up the Browns front.
Cleveland will still be active in acquiring defensive line pieces to build depth at the positions both in the short and long term.
For now, the team has their two book ends back together with Garrett and Smith teaming up yet again in 2024.
