Just before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, the Cleveland Browns traded defensive end Za’Darius Smith to the Detroit Lions, a deal that had been rumored for a little while.
Smith will strengthen a Detroit Lions team that was already the best in the NFC and help make up for the season-ending injury to budding star Aidan Hutchinson.
At the same time, it continues to appear as if the Browns may be entering some sort of retooling or even rebuilding process.
Their official X (formerly Twitter) account expressed gratitude with a simple three-word message: “Thank you, Z!”
Thank you, Z! pic.twitter.com/TCEN95gflP
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 5, 2024
At age 32, Smith continues to be an effective pass rusher, and he was one rare bright spot in what has otherwise been a miserable season for Cleveland.
Through nine games this season, he has 5.0 sacks, seven quarterback hits and six tackles for loss.
It is starting to look like Cleveland’s roster could look significantly different once next season starts than it did this September.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson tore his Achilles in Week 7 and will be out for the rest of this season, and there are rumors that he may have played his last game for them.
Trading him, however, would be extremely difficult, given his huge contract, plunging production, and off the field issues.
NEXT: NFL Insider Reveals Browns' Plans Before Trade Deadline
