Cleveland continues exploring every possible avenue to strengthen its defensive front, and Thursday brought a familiar face back to Berea for a workout that immediately generated buzz among Browns fans. Za’Darius Smith, who spent two seasons in Cleveland earlier in his career, returned for a tryout. With Cleveland having recently traded away Myles Garrett as part of the Jared Verse deal, adding proven veteran depth at defensive end is the kind of move that could pay real dividends once the regular season arrives.
“#Browns tried out their former edge rusher Za’Darius Smith today. Would be an excellent addition to the rotation,” Mary Kay Cabot wrote.
#Browns tried out their former edge rusher Za’Darius Smith today. Would be an excellent addition to the rotation.
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 13, 2026
Smith’s track record speaks for itself even at 33 years old, with a career that includes three Pro Bowl selections and 70.5 sacks across eleven NFL seasons split between Baltimore, Green Bay, Minnesota, Detroit, and Philadelphia, along with his previous stint in Cleveland during the 2023 season. His most productive years came during a stretch with Green Bay that included an All-Pro-caliber campaign in 2020, and while recent injury concerns have limited his availability across multiple stops in 2024 and 2025, his experience and pass-rushing instincts remain valuable commodities for a team looking to add proven depth.
Adding a veteran presence like Smith to work alongside Verse and the rest of the defensive front would give Todd Monken additional flexibility as he continues managing snap counts and matchups throughout what promises to be a long regular season.
Smith’s familiarity with the Cleveland organization from his previous stint adds another layer of appeal beyond simply his on-field production. Returning to a locker room he already knows could shorten any adjustment period significantly compared to bringing in a completely unfamiliar veteran this late in the summer calendar.
Whether this workout translates into an actual roster addition remains to be seen, but it suggests Cleveland’s front office sees genuine value in bringing Smith back into the fold.
NEXT: Browns Will Face Former First-Round Pick Against Bears
