Smith joins a Detroit team in need of an edge rusher. The NFC-leading Lions (7-1) have been hunting for one since losing Aidan Hutchinson to tibia and fibula fractures on Oct. 13 that will sideline him for the rest of the regular season.

The Cleveland Browns traded Za'Darius Smith, who was due a cap number of $5.7 million in 2025. However, due to the void year the Browns used to space out his cap hit, they do have to eat all of his bonuses in the contract,

The Detroit Lions are acquiring Za’Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns in a huge move at the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, per multiple reports. The Browns traded Smith and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Lions in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick.