Browns, Lions Complete Za’Darius Smith Trade
Rumored to be near the finish line while the Browns were playing their Week 9 game, the team’s deal with the Lions involving Za’Darius Smith is now done. The veteran pass rusher will be dealt to a third NFC North franchise.
As it turns out, Detroit will end up paying less for Smith than initially reported. The Lions will receive Smith and a 2026 seventh-round pick, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports, while the Browns will acquire a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-rounder.
Cleveland’s hopes in acquiring a better return for Smith led to the delay here, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, who adds the AFC North team was hoping someone would send over a fourth-round pick for the veteran edge defender. Exiting Week 9, no club was willing to do so. That will lead to the Browns accepting the Lions’ offer.
These terms are not far off from those involved in the 2023 trade that sent Smith from Minnesota to Cleveland. Following the 2023 draft, the Vikings dealt Smith and 2025 sixth- and seventh-round picks to the Browns for 2024 and 2025 fifths. Eighteen months later, Smith is involved in another trade that includes at least three Day 3 draft choices.
The Lions will take on Smith’s remaining salary, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. That only requires a $605K payment, however. The Browns, as they are wont to do under GM Andrew Berry, inserted void years in Smith’s contract to reduce his cap hits. He entered the season with just $1.21MM due in 2024 base salary. Smith re-signed with the Browns on a two-year, $23MM deal in March. The Lions will take on this through-2025 contract, giving them flexibility to keep the well-traveled defender next season as well. Smith is due a $1.5MM base salary in 2025; that money is not guaranteed.
Aidan Hutchinson suffering a broken leg made the Lions an obvious pass-rushing suitor, and Smith ended up being asked about a potential trade to Detroit not long after the then-Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner went down. Smith, 32, expressed intrigue about a Lions fit; soon after, a report pointed to the Lions showing interest. The former Packers and Vikings edge rusher will move from Myles Garrett sidekick on a 2-7 team to the most accomplished healthy pass rusher for a 7-1 squad.
While the Lions have steamrolled their way to the top of the NFC, they have done so without reliable production from their non-Hutchinson edge players. Hutchinson racked up 7.5 sacks before going down in Week 5. Through eight games, no other Lions player has tallied more than 2.5 sacks. Among outside rushers, no Lion has accumulated more than one sack this season.
Smith checks a key box for a team that allocated significant offseason resources to locking down the core GM Brad Holmes assembled. The former Pro Bowler helped the Packers to two NFC championship games and aided the Vikings to the 2022 NFC North title during his one Minnesota season; the Lions will hope their former rival can push their effort over the top.
It will cost the Browns nearly $19MM in dead money to move Smith, which certainly presents an interesting scenario for a team tied to Deshaun Watson‘s contract through 2026. The Smith dead money will be spread over two years for the Browns. As the Watson contract has done the most to sink this Browns team after a 2023 playoff season, Berry and Co. have been tied to more seller’s moves before today’s 3pm CT deadline.
Despite the Browns’ struggles this season, is on a better pace compared to his 2023 form. Helping last year’s Cleveland squad to the No. 1 pass defense ranking, Smith finished with 5.5 sacks. Through nine games this year, he has five. Smith posted 20 QB hits last season; he has seven thus far this year.
The former Ravens, Packers and Vikings EDGE has reeled off three double-digit sack seasons — each of which coming in the NFC North. He reached 13.5 sacks upon signing with Green Bay in 2019 and added 12.5 to help the Pack return to the NFC title game a year later. Upon signing with the Vikings in 2022, Smith teamed with Danielle Hunter to record 10 sacks.
The Browns have now moved Smith and Amari Cooper. They are not planning to trade Garrett or Denzel Ward, but other names have come up. Greg Newsome‘s name has come up. It will be interesting to see if the retooling squad unloads more pieces over the next several hours. The Lions have not shown they need much, but they also could further augment their roster before today’s trade endpoint.
Lions WR Jameson Williams Reinstated From Suspension
Jameson Williams is back on Detroit’s 53-man roster. The Lions wideout was reinstated from his two-game suspension today, per Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz. Williams was suspended last month for violating the NFL’s PED policy.
[RELATED: Lions’ Jameson Williams Facing Gun Charge]
However, the receiver isn’t completely out of the woods when it comes to impending league punishment. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero noted yesterday that the NFL continues to monitor developments surrounding Williams’ gun issue. In an early-October incident, Williams was placed in handcuffs and nearly booked on a gun charge before ultimately being released from custody.
While the player initially avoided an arrest warrant and police report, an internal affairs investigation was later launched. That investigation ultimately led to an official charge for Williams. Pelissero notes that this legal process will surely take time to play out, and Williams will once again be subject to punishment when everything is resolved. A suspension under the personal conduct policy would mark Williams’ third career ban. Prior to his recent PED suspension, the Alabama alum was hit with a ban last season after violating the league’s gambling policy.
For the time being, Williams will return to the high-powered Lions offense. Dan Campbell told reporters that Williams will be “ready to roll” for Week 10, and the coach revealed that the player has been working out and training throughout his suspension (per ESPN’s Eric Woodyard). Williams was in the midst of a career season before being hit with his two-game suspension. In six games (four starts), Williams has already established career-highs in receiving yards (361) and touchdowns (three).
The Lions were 2-0 with Williams out of the lineup, with the likes of Tim Patrick and Kalif Raymond seeing an uptick in snaps during that span. Still, the Lions will surely welcome back the receiver for the second half of the season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/4/24
Here are Monday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Waived: DB Darren Hall
Detroit Lions
- Waived: LB Abraham Beauplan, DL Chris Smith
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: WR Justyn Ross
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: WR Marquez Callaway, LB Vi Jones
For one game, at least, the Buccaneers have the Chiefs outflanked in the wide receiver injury department. Chris Godwin is out until at least the playoffs, should Tampa Bay qualify, and Mike Evans is expected to miss at least two more games due to the hamstring injury he suffered. The team endured another blow recently, with third-round rookie Jalen McMillan sustaining a hamstring injury during a Friday practice. A former Saints regular, Callaway has not played in a game this season.
Lions, Browns Expected To Finalize Za’Darius Smith Trade
10:42pm: Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer confirms the Browns and Lions have had talks regarding a Smith deal. He adds the price, should this agreement be finalized, will likely be around a fourth-round pick. That level of compensation would, of course, set the market for any other edge rush trades over the coming days.
1:16pm: Za’Darius Smithhas long been connected to a trade sending him from the Browns to the Lions. Signs continue to point in that direction. 
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports a deal between the teams is expected to be finalized tonight or tomorrow. At the moment, Smith is taking part in Cleveland’s Week 9 contest against the Chargers. Provided he does not suffer an injury during today’s game, attention will turn to the status of negotiations for a swap to be worked out.
Smith spoke about the possibility of a Lions arrival last month, stating an openness to a deal which would send him to the Motor City. Presuming this trade does indeed get worked out, the three-time Pro Bowler will return to the NFC North. A former Packer and Viking, Smith will have the chance to play two of his former teams during the latter stages of the 2024 season if he does indeed wind up with the Lions.
Detroit is without Marcus Davenport for the year, something which was exacerbated by Aidan Hutchinson‘s broken tibia. The latter could make a Super Bowl return, but his absence created a massive vacancy along the edge for the time being. In the build-up to Week 9, Lions head coach Dan Campbell strongly hinted at a pass rush addition being around the corner, so today’s report comes as no surprise.
The Lions are short on established options along the edge with their top two options on the mend, so Smith will have plenty of playing time available provided he does wind up changing teams. The 32-year-old recorded at least 10 sacks in each healthy season between 2019 and ’22, but he had a quieter debut Cleveland campaign last year (5.5). So far in 2024, though, Smith has racked up five sacks, a sign that he has remained productive deep into his career. Providing at least a depth presence on the edge for Detroit would be key for the team’s Super Bowl hopes.
The NFC North figures to be highly competitive throughout the season, and any acquisitions on the Lions’ part could tip the scales in their favor. The team has been connected to other trade candidates, but Smith has remained the most common target for some time now. He is attached to a base salary of just $1.21MM for 2024, along with a non-guaranteed $1.5MM in base pay next year. Smith is owed a $2MM roster bonus not long after the start of the next league year, so an adjustment from the Lions – should they end up acquiring him – would not come as a surprise.
Trade Notes: Lions, Ojulari, Browning, Raiders, Neal
A report from Sunday afternoon indicated the Lions are close to completing a trade for Za’Darius Smith. The veteran Browns edge rusher has long been linked to Detroit, a team which has been on the lookout for help in that area since losing Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport to major injuries.
Of course, the Lions have explored other options as well. Their process of seeking out suitable targets has included interest in Maxx Crosby, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports. To no surprise, though, the Lions have been told Crosby is unavailable. Raiders owner Mark Davis has made it clear on multiple occasions the three-time Pro Bowler will not be dealt, recently adding that sentiment also applies beyond this year’s deadline.
Detroit could show interest in the likes of Jadeveon Clowney and/or Chase Young, and the Titans’ Arden Key is the most recent name to emerge as a potential target. The members of that group would likely no longer be on the Lions’ radar provided a Smith agreement came to fruition, but they could be in play if that does not turn out to be the case. Detroit’s willingness to aim big by inquiring about Crosby is another indication of the team’s intention of making another deep playoff run in 2024.
Here are some more trade-related notes from around the league:
- Neither Darius Slayton nor Azeez Ojulari are believed to have been the subject of any Giants extension talks, pointing further in the direction of one or both being traded. After New York’s Week 9 loss, Ojulari confirmed to Ryan Novozinsky of NJ.com no talks have taken place on the contract front. While that has made him the trade target of multiple teams, the 24-year-old said he prefers to remain with the Giants. Slayton has similarly made public his desire to stay in place despite the team’s 2-7 record, although he has been the subject of trade speculation on multiple occasions over the years. Ojulari could offer a notable rental boost to many teams, but it remains to be seen if the Giants will entertain offers including minimal draft capital.
- The Broncos sit at 5-4 on the year after Sunday’s loss. The team might not adopt a firm buyer’s or seller’s stance in advance of the trade deadline, but that could still result in a move being made. Edge rusher Baron Browning has previously been floated as a trade candidate, and his name continues to be mentioned in rumors. Both Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk report the 25-year-old is a name to watch over the coming days. Browning, who is nearing the end of his rookie contract, wants to remain in Denver, although he recently acknowledged an extension does not seem to be around the corner.
- Crosby is off limits, but the Raiders could be open to selling off at other positions with a 2-7 record. Jakobi Meyers is among the receivers who could still be on the move, and plenty of teams who have yet to add in the pass-catching department could be active before the deadline. With that said, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal writes the Raiders are not actively shopping Meyers or any other players. SI’s Albert Breer corroborates that, adding Crosby is set to remain in place. The team will, of course, take calls from potential suitors while looking ahead to at least one QB addition ahead of 2025. Adding draft capital could aid Vegas’ attempts to acquire a franchise passer.
- Evan Neal‘s time with the Giants so far has – to put it lightly – not gone according to plan. The 2022 No. 7 pick has found himself out of the starting lineup at guard and tackle, although with injuries up front that could change somewhat soon. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler writes Neal is a “nonstarter” on the trade front from New York’s perspective. That comes as little surprise since the Alabama product’s value in a swap would fall well short of the capital invested in him two years ago. Neal is attached to his rookie contract through 2025, leaving him some runway to bounce back from his earlier struggles in time for free agency.
Titans’ DE Arden Key Drawing Trade Interest; Latest On Lions’ EDGE Search
The Cardinals are interested in the Giants’ Azeez Ojulari, and Arizona’s search for a pass rusher has not stopped there. Per Dianna Russini of The Athletic (subscription required), the Cards have also reached out to the Titans to discuss a trade for defensive end Arden Key.
[RELATED: Titans Will Not Trade DL Jeffery Simmons]
Key, 28, is under club control through 2025 and is due a manageable $6.5MM salary next season. So even though the 1-6 Titans are obvious sellers at this year’s deadline, they do not need to move Key if they do not get an offer to their liking.
That said, New York is setting a high price on Ojulari, which could in turn boost Tennessee’s leverage in any talks involving Key (although Big Blue is reportedly unlikely to recoup more than a Day 3 selection for Ojulari, regardless of any posturing to the contrary). Key, a former third-round pick of the Raiders, struggled to find his footing with the Silver-and-Black, but he established himself as a useful complementary edge defender by posting 11 sacks and 32 quarterback hits over the 2021-22 seasons, which he split between the 49ers and Jaguars.
He turned that performance into a three-year, $21MM contract with the Titans in the 2023 offseason, and he recorded six sacks and 12 QB hits in his first year in Nashville. This year, he has tallied three sacks and six QB hits through seven games, and Pro Football Focus has assigned him a strong 70.3 pass rush grade.
The 4-4 Cardinals, who surprisingly find themselves at the top of a muddy NFC West picture, have been hit hard by injuries along the defensive line, and GM Monti Ossenfort recently confirmed that he has explored deals that could bolster his club’s pass rush.
At the end of October, Lions head coach Dan Campbell indicated that Detroit could soon be making a move to address its EDGE corps, which has lost both Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport for the season. Armando Salguero of Outkick.com named Key as an “outside possibility” for the Lions, although Key’s performance in Tennessee’s recent loss to the Detroit – two sacks and six total tackles – could have caught the eye of Campbell & Co.
The Lions have already been connected to the Browns’ Za’Darius Smith, and both Russini and ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirm that Detroit has indeed checked in on Smith. Salguero, meanwhile, names the Panthers’ Jadeveon Clowney and the Saints’ Chase Young as other possible targets for the Lions.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/2/24
Today’s minor NFL moves including standard gameday practice squad elevations for Sunday’s slate of games:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: DL Ben Stille
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: CB Natrone Brooks, DE Demone Harris
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: NT Josh Tupou, DE Chris Wormley
Carolina Panthers
- Signed to active roster: TE Jordan Matthews
- Elevated: CB Caleb Farley, WR Deven Thompkins
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: T Jake Curhan, CB Reddy Steward
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: T Devin Cochran, WR Kendric Pryor
Cleveland Browns
- Elevated: DT Sam Kamara
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: LB Kwon Alexander, FB Michael Burton
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: LB Abraham Beauplan, DL Chris Smith
- Elevated: OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad, TE Shane Zylstra
- Released: TE Parker Hesse
Green Bay Packers
- Elevated: CB Kamal Hadden
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: WR Elijah Cooks, WR Austin Trammell
- Placed on IR: WR Christian Kirk (story)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed to active roster: TE Peyton Hendershot
- Placed on IR: TE Jared Wiley
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: LB Elias Neal, P Ty Zentner
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: DT Neil Farrell, LS Matt Overton
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: S Millard Bradford, CB Shemar Jean-Charles, RB Jordan Mims
- Elevated: CB Tre Herndon, S Roderic Teamer
- Placed on IR: WR Bub Means, RB Kendre Miller
- Waived: G Kyle Hergel
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: TE E.J. Jenkins
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: CB Justin Hardee, RB Joshua Kelley, WR Bryce Oliver
- Elevated: C Corey Levin, QB Trevor Siemian
- Placed on IR: OL Andrew Rupcich
- Waived: TE Thomas Odukoya
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/30/24
Today’s minor moves:
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on IR: CB Amani Oruwariye
Denver Broncos
- Designated for return: S Delarrin Turner-Yell
Detroit Lions
- Designated for return: DT Brodric Martin
Houston Texans
- Signed to active roster: RB J.J. Taylor
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: C Sam Mustipher
Miami Dolphins
- Designated for return: WR River Cracraft
New England Patriots
- Designated for return: CB Alex Austin
New Orleans Saints
- Designated for return: C Shane Lemieux, LB Nephi Sewell
New York Jets
- Signed to active roster: LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/29/24
Here are the latest transactions from around the NFL:
Buffalo Bills
- Released: RB Darrynton Evans
Carolina Panthers
- Released: S Russ Yeast
Chicago Bears
- Placed on injured reserve: OL Bill Murray
Cleveland Browns
- Signed to active roster: WR Jaelon Darden
- Placed on injured reserve: CB Tony Brown
Detroit Lions
- Activated from Non-Football Injury list: OL Christian Mahogany
Houston Texans
- Placed on injured reserve: WR Stefon Diggs
Minnesota Vikings
- Released: RB Myles Gaskin
New England Patriots
- Signed to active roster: LB Ochaun Mathis
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived: LB Adetokunbo Ogundeji
- Reinstated from Reserve/Suspended list: CB Cameron Sutton
Tennessee Titans
- Waived: WR Mason Kinsey
Murray suffered a torn pectoral in the Bears’ loss to the Commanders on Sunday, thinning out Chicago’s offensive line depth. He played 37 snaps at left guard in Week 5 in relief of an injured Tevin Jenkins, who left Sunday’s game with another injury. After full participation in practice last week, Larry Borom should be ready to be activated from injured reserve to reinforce the Bears’ offensive line before Week 9.
The Texans officially played Diggs on injured reserve after tests confirmed a season-ending ACL tear, a non-contact injury that occurred in Houston’s Week 8 victory over the Colts. With Nico Collins already on IR, C.J. Stroud will turn to Tank Dell and Dalton Schultz to keep the offense afloat until Collins returns. Diggs’ injury could heavily affect his market in free agency after requiring the Texans to remove the final three years of his contact to facilitate his trade from the Bills.
Sutton is eligible to play for the first time this year after serving an eight-game suspension for violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy. He was suspended after he was arrested for domestic battery by strangulation in March, leading to his release by the Lions. The Steelers then signed him to a one-year deal in June before the league handed down his suspension in July, forcing Pittsburgh to turn to Beanie Bishop at nickel.
Lions’ Jameson Williams Facing Gun Charge
Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams is serving a two-game ban for a PED violation, but it is possible the third-year player could face additional NFL discipline under the personal conduct policy. A murky situation has developed in Detroit.
Officers placed Williams in handcuffs and nearly booked him on a gun charge, according to WXYZ’s Ross Jones, who reports the former first-round pick was to be taken to jail before being released from custody shortly prior to being booked. This incident occurred after midnight Oct. 8. This has brought a belated charge against the wide receiver, but the matter took a circuitous route to reach this point.
Williams and his brother were pulled over in Detroit, and the stop led to Williams — the passenger in the vehicle — admitting he was in possession of a gun without a concealed pistol license, Jones reports. The arresting officer informed Williams he would be taken into custody. The officer’s bodycam footage includes Williams repeatedly saying he was a Lions player. “I play for the Lions, bro. I’m Jameson Williams,” the 23-year-old wideout said. While Williams was placed in the back of a squad car, he was not taken to jail. His Lions status appears to have indeed proved beneficial — at least initially.
A sergeant who arrived to back up the arresting officers soon made several calls to superiors asking if Williams needed to be arrested on this gun charge, Ross reports, adding that the sergeant’s cellphone wallpaper included a Lions logo. The sergeant is heard indicating Williams would indeed be taken to jail on the charge, but a lieutenant then called back to indicate no booking would be necessary. The sergeant thanked the lieutenant, per Ross, and took Williams out of handcuffs.
Williams’ gun was soon returned as well, and no arrest warrant or police report initially emerged. An internal affairs investigation has since been launched, Ross reports, adding that a development last week has since resulted in Williams being hit with the gun charge he was set to face. This will ensure the Detroit pass catcher would be subject to another suspension, pending an NFL investigation.
One game remains on Williams’ PED ban. The Alabama alum has already run afoul of two NFL policies, having been popped under the gambling umbrella last year. Williams was found to have bet on non-NFL sporting events while on team grounds. A suspension under the personal conduct policy could now be in play.
Officers initially told Jones only one gun was found during the arrest, the one belonging to Williams’ brother, who had a license to carry. Police chief James White learning of the second gun — which resided under the passenger seat — led to portions of the bodycam video being shared, which has shed light on Williams’ actions that morning. The Lions released a statement indicating Williams informed them of the arrest, and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport adds the team notified the league soon after.
“Jameson made us aware immediately that he was a passenger in a routine traffic stop on October 8th,” a Lions statement reads. “We discussed the incident with him and have kept the league informed of what we know. We understand he was released without incident or citation. It is now our understanding that the Detroit Police Department is revisiting the matter. Jameson has hired an attorney, and we will not be commenting further out of respect for the legal process.”
Given a more prominent role on offense following Josh Reynolds‘ free agency defection, Williams has shown promise in his third season. The Lions’ No. 2 wideout is averaging 21.2 yards per reception (17 catches, 361 yards) and has caught three touchdown passes. It is not certain a suspension would come, and the nature of this internal investigation may well point to any potential NFL discipline taking place in 2025. Still, Williams facing three suspensions in three years would introduce more hurdles as he attempts to make a case for a long-term run in Detroit.