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    • Browns DE Za’Darius Smith maintains deal
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    Browns DE Za’Darius Smith maintains deal

    Caradoc Wyn Posted on

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    A prominent pass rusher in the AFC who is familiar with the NFC North didn’t mind the idea when a possible trade to the Detroit Lions was brought up to him on Thursday.

    Cleveland Browns pass rusher Za’Darius Smith told a Browns reporter, “It might be a good idea” to join the contender on the other side of Lake Erie.

    The 32-year-old Smith came to the Browns via trade from the Minnesota Vikings in 2023 and signed a two-year, $23 million contract in March.

    In a one-on-one interview with reporter Scott Petrak of The Chronicle-Telegram, Smith said the loss of Aidan Hutchinson was “big” and said the Lions’ top pass rusher was on track to be named Defensive Player of the Year at 7½ Sacks in five games before breaking his left leg Sunday against the Cowboys.

    “I’m staying positive, but now that you say that (about the rumors of a trade with the Lions), maybe things are looking good for me, a good feeling,” Smith told Pelak.

    READ ABOVE: The Lions need help on defense for a Super Bowl run. But they can’t afford to sell the farm

    The Lions (4-1) have said they are evaluating their options to replace Hutchinson. Head coach Dan Campbell said Monday that general manager Brad Holmes and his staff are exploring both inside and outside the home to try to increase the Lions’ strength. Two of the other primary edge rushing options coming this year, Marcus Davenport (pec) and Derrick Barnes (knee), are also out for the year.

    “I believe in this D-line,” Campbell said Monday. “That doesn’t mean we don’t look and evaluate. Brad is. That’s his job and he’s good at it and we take it as it comes. But our eyes are open and we want to make sure we have what we need here.”

    The Lions’ top options on the roster are Josh Paschal, James Houston and rookie Isaac Ukwu.

    The Browns (1-5) could release Smith before the Nov. 5 trade deadline. They traded top receiver Amari Cooper to Buffalo on Tuesday, but their best player, defensive end Myles Garrett, said he doesn’t want to go anywhere.

    The Browns are tied for the worst record in the NFL after making the playoffs last season.

    Smith previously spent four seasons in the NFC North between the Green Bay Packers and Vikings and made three Pro Bowl appearances during those years. He has 63 career sacks in 10 seasons, including three in 2024. He played in six of the possible eight games and had two sacks against Detroit from his time in the division. He was originally a fourth-round pick by Baltimore in 2015.

    “But if I went to Detroit, I would like it because I get to play Green Bay twice a year and the Vikings twice a year. So, yeah, this is going to be big,” Smith told Pelak.

    The last time Holmes and the Lions traded a player in the middle of the season, it happened to be with the Browns. The Lions acquired receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, now on the practice squad, from Cleveland for a 2025 sixth-round pick at last year’s trade deadline.

    Hutchinson led the NFL in sacks and quarterback pressures (45) before going down. He helped establish himself as the NFL’s best pass rusher early on to solidify the Lions’ defense, which currently ranks eighth in scoring (18.2 points allowed per game).

    On Thursday, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said the team would have to be creative to find a way to restore Hutchinson’s impact before Sunday’s divisional showdown at the 5-0 Vikings.

    INSIDER: Brad Holmes owes it to the Super Bowl-bound Lions to add DE following Aidan Hutchinson’s injury

    “Every week we put a plan together and the plan is about the players,” Glenn said. “It’s not just about this scheme that we have. And I say this every week: Man, we’re doing everything we can to put players in the best position possible to show their strengths and limit their weaknesses. That’s what we plan to do.”

    Jared Ramsey is a sports reporter for the Detroit Free Press, covering the city’s professional teams, the state’s two flagship universities and more. Follow Jared on X @jared_ramsey22 and email him at [email protected].

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    Caradoc Wyn
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