Veteran edge-rusher Za'Darius Smith will reportedly continue to call Northeast Ohio home after agreeing to a two-year, $23.5 million deal with the Cleveland Browns, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
The Browns acquired Smith last May and he renegotiated his contract as part of the move. While he was listed as having a $1.2 million base salary and a $3.1 million salary cap hit for 2024, that didn't reflect his actual status with the agreement due to void.
That didn't work out too badly for the 31-year-old after he put in a strong 2023 season. In 16 appearances, he had 27 combined tackles, eight tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. The Browns finished second in defensive DVOA, per FTN Fantasy, and had the sixth-most sacks (49).
Smith's individual production might look a tad underwhelming considering he had 10-plus sacks three times between 2019 and 2022. But the tip was partially by design.
Moving to Cleveland meant shifting Smith into a 4-3 scheme and lining up him at defensive end, a departure from how he had been utilized when punching his ticket to three Pro Bowls.
Smith's priorities had evolved as well.
"My main goal right now is get a ring," he told reporters last May. "That's something that I never have experienced. So that's the No. 1 goal, is help this team win a Super Bowl. Well, first of all, win the AFC North, sorry. And then go on and play in the Super Bowl."
From that perspective, this year was a disappointment. The Browns made the playoffs for just the fourth time since returning to the league in 1999 but didn't claim an AFC North crown. Their quest for the Super Bowl also ended in the Wild Card Round.
Smith at least remained an effective edge defender, putting himself in position for another healthy payday. Pro Football Focus' Brad Spielberger ranked him as the No. 42 overall player on the free agency board.
"Smith has the size and explosiveness to rush from the A-gaps out to a two-point stance as a stand-up outside linebacker, and he has earned pass-rush grades above 80.0 in his past four full seasons," he wrote.
While Smith is no longer at his peak, there isn't anything to point toward a drastic decline ahead in 2024.
With Chris Jones, Josh Allen, Brian Burns, Danielle Hunter, Justin Madubuike and Chase Young all garnering plenty of attention as free agents, this move could fly under the radar.
