Defensive end is one of the strongest position groups on the Cleveland Browns’ roster, but only at the top. With Jared Verse and Alex Wright, the team has two very good pass rushers to work with, even after trading Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams.
In addition, Isaiah McGuire has made a strong impression during training camp. However, the unit could use more depth, particularly in the form of a situational pass rusher.
That is why the Browns pursued Jadeveon Clowney this summer, but he signed with the Houston Texans. Cleveland was also pursuing a reunion with Za’Darius Smith.
Unfortunately, the Browns missed out on that latest chance to add veteran pass-rushing help, as Smith reportedly has signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons.
“Sources: The Falcons are signing 3x Pro Bowl OLB Za’Darius Smith to a 1-year deal. Smith was in deep talks with the Browns, but Atlanta made a strong push to land the former All-Pro in a deal done by Erik Burkhardt of Roc Nation Sports,” Jordan Schultz posted.
Sources: The #Falcons are signing 3x Pro Bowl OLB Za’Darius Smith to a 1-year deal.
Smith was in deep talks with the #Browns, but Atlanta made a strong push to land the former All-Pro in a deal done by @ErikBurkhardt of @RocNationSports. pic.twitter.com/GfJVODZD5E
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 18, 2026
Smith did decide on a reunion of sorts, as he will team up again with Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski, who was the Browns head coach for Smith’s two seasons in Cleveland. In 2023, the veteran had 5.5 sacks, making 16 starts.
Then, in 2024, Smith posted 5.0 sacks in just nine starts before he was traded to the Detroit Lions after they lost Aidan Hutchinson to a leg injury. Smith signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent, but he retired just five games into the 2025 season.
Smith’s one-year contract is reportedly worth $6 million. In addition to the disappointment of his joining Stefanski instead, it looked like the Browns were on the verge of an agreement with him before he changed course.
“He was supposed to be a Cleveland Brown,” insider Mary Kay Cabot said. “In fact, he was expected in town on Sunday, and I thought that he would be wrapped up in the fold and possibly even on the practice field today. And lo and behold, we go out to practice, he’s nowhere to be found.”
With that in mind, the Browns may be better off looking elsewhere, as Smith has now retired and signed with an unexpected team in less than a year. The Browns had been linked to free agent Joey Bosa earlier this offseason, though he may now be leaning toward retirement.
Cleveland will likely monitor the waiver wire closely, particularly after final cuts are made, to see if they can add the depth at the position it has been seeking all offseason.
NEXT: Browns Add Receiver, Part Ways With Lineman
