Report: Za'Darius Smith to re-sign with Browns on two-year deal

Defensive end Za’Darius Smith will re-sign with the Cleveland Browns, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic. It is reportedly a two-year contract with a $23.5 million base and opportunities to earn up to $25 million with incentives.

Smith is set to enter his 10th NFL season and his second with the Browns. He has also had stints with the Ravens, Packers and Vikings throughout his career. He started 16 games for Cleveland in 2023 to record 27 tackles (nine for loss), 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

Smith played his college football at Kentucky and was a fourth-round pick to Baltimore in the 2015 NFL Draft. He went on to play four seasons for the Ravens but never carved out a full-time starting role for himself. His best year came during his final season in Baltimore when he started eight of 16 games to finish with 45 tackles (10 for loss), 8.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

That would change when he signed as a free agent with the Packers in 2019. He went on to start 32 games over the next two seasons in Green Bay, earning Pro Bowl appearances both years. He totaled a combined 107 tackles, 26 sacks and five forced fumbles in 2019 and 2020.

Unfortunately, Smith missed the majority of the 2021 season with a back injury. He returned to play in the Packers’ divisional round playoff matchup but was released at the end of the season. Smith went on to sign with the Minnesota Vikings and finished ninth in Comeback Player of the Year voting in 2022. He recorded 44 tackles (15 for loss), 10 sacks and five passes defended in his lone year in Minnesota.

Smith will likely return as the starting right defensive end for the Browns, which is where he played last season. He, along with Myles Garrett, helped Cleveland to rank sixth in the NFL with 49 team sacks in 2023.

Additionally, Cleveland ranked 11th in the NFL in rushing defense and 13th in scoring defense. The Browns finished 11-6 but lost in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. However, with returning talent such as Smith, they’ll aim to make a push for a deeper run in 2024.

More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2024 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who are set to become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 19 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits. Following the restricted free agent deadline follows the 2024 NFL Draft, which runs from April 25-27.