Za'Darius Smith is reportedly set to come out of retirement and sign with the Cleveland Browns, according to Cleveland.com. The 33-year-old defensive end visited the team's facility on Thursday and impressed coaches, leading to the expectation of a contract signing.
Smith previously played for the Browns during the 2023 season. He departed the team midway through the 2024 campaign to join the Detroit Lions. Last season, he played five games for the Philadelphia Eagles on a $9 million contract before announcing his retirement in October.
Throughout his career, Smith has played 145 games, accumulating 70.5 sacks. He began his NFL journey after playing college football at East Mississippi Community College and the University of Kentucky. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft and has also had stints with the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings.
The Browns have been seeking to bolster their defensive line since trading Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in June. The team had also pursued Jadeveon Clowney, but he signed with the Houston Texans. In the trade for Garrett, the Browns acquired Jared Verse. Smith's addition is expected to provide valuable experience to a defense that was ranked among the NFL's best last season.