Cleveland’s recent workout with Za’Darius Smith has now turned into an actual roster move, with the veteran pass rusher set to rejoin an organization he already knows well. Ari Meirov reported the expected signing on Sunday, citing Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com, confirming that Smith will return to Cleveland after a tryout just days earlier suggested real mutual interest between the two sides. The move adds proven experience to a defensive front that has generated significant buzz throughout training camp, giving Todd Monken another veteran option as the Browns continue finalizing their roster ahead of the regular season.
Meirov laid out the full details of Smith’s path back to Cleveland.
“The #Browns are expected to sign 3x Pro Bowl DE Za’Darius Smith, per @MaryKayCabot. Smith spent last season with the #Eagles, playing 5 games before retiring. He’s now returning to the NFL and heading back to Cleveland, where he played in 2023 and the first half of 2024,” Meirov wrote.
The #Browns are expected to sign 3x Pro Bowl DE Za’Darius Smith, per @MaryKayCabot.
Smith spent last season with the #Eagles, playing 5 games before retiring. He’s now returning to the NFL and heading back to Cleveland, where he played in 2023 and the first half of 2024. pic.twitter.com/C9odnhwbiT
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 16, 2026
Smith’s history with this organization gives him a level of familiarity that few outside additions could match this late in the offseason calendar. He spent the 2023 season and part of 2024 with the Browns before eventually moving on, His decision to come out of retirement after stepping away following a brief five-game stint with the Eagles last season speaks to genuine confidence in what he can still offer at this stage of his career.
The three-time Pro Bowl selection brings a track record that includes 70.5 career sacks across eleven NFL seasons, along with stops in Baltimore, Green Bay, Minnesota, Detroit, and Philadelphia before this return engagement in Cleveland. While recent injury concerns limited his availability during stints with both Detroit and Philadelphia, his experience and pass-rushing instincts remain valuable assets for a defensive front that has already generated significant attention this summer, headlined by Jared Verse’s emergence following the Myles Garrett trade.
Adding Smith to a rotation that already features Verse gives Cleveland real flexibility along the defensive line heading into the regular season.
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