Za'Darius Smith reaches deal to re-sign with Cleveland Browns

The legal tampering period in the NFL officially got started on Monday. Free agents in professional football were now allowed to discuss deals with other football organizations above the table. A former Kentucky standout locked up another contract.

According to multiple reports, Za’Darius Smith has signed a two-year deal with the Cleveland Browns worth $23.5 million. The Browns acquired Smith last offseason in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings. He tallied 5.5 sacks, 29 pressures, 27 tackles, and a forced fumble.

Pairing Za’Darius Smith with Myles Garrett was a potent one-two pass-rushing combo in Cleveland. The Browns had the No. 1 total defense in the league, allowing only 270.2 yards per game. Despite a rotating door at the quarterback position, the defense carried Cleveland to a Wild Card berth in the AFC playoffs.

Smith has found some stability in Cleveland after playing for three different teams over the last three years. Prior to signing a big deal in free agency with Minnesota, Za’Darius was a team captain for the Green Bay Packers.

He was a Pro Bowler for the Vikings and earned the honor twice as a member of the Packers. Smith was a fourth round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2015.

Za’Darius Smith was one of the first significant recruiting wins of the Mark Stoops era. Despite little experience on the gridiron, he became a four-star prospect while playing at East Mississippi Community College. In two seasons at Kentucky he tallied 69 tackles, 11.0 sacks, and 14.0 tackles for loss.

It’s not the biggest free agency deal this offseason for former Kentucky Wildcats. Josh Allen will earn $24 million while playing the 2024 season on the franchise tag with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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