CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – New defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz just got another Ferrari to run with up front Friday night.
The Cleveland Browns are adding three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Za’Darius Smith in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings a league source confirmed to 92.3 The Fan.
NFL Network was first to report the Browns agreed to acquire Smith.
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Cleveland will also receive a 2025 sixth and seventh round pick in the trade that will see Minnesota receive a 2024 and 2025 fifth round pick from the Browns in return the source said.
Browns executive vice president of football operations and general manager Andrew Berry was able to add one final piece to Schwartz's defense after already signing three key pieces in free agency this offseason – defensive end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson and safety Juan Thornhill.
Schwartz gets to pair Smith, who has registered double digit sacks seasons three times in the last four years, opposite of four-time Pro Bowler Myles Garrett, who is coming off single season franchise record setting 16 sack campaigns the last two years.
Smith might be riding a four season double digit sack streak if it were not for a bulging disc in his back that sidelined him for almost all of the 2021 season with the Packers.
As part of the trade, the Browns re-negotiated Smith’s contract. He’ll receive $11.75 million this year and can become a free agent next March. He had just signed a three-year, $42 million contract last year with the Vikings.
Smith registered 10 sacks, 24 QB hits, 15 tackles for loss, five pass breakups and a forced fumble in 16 games – all starts – for the Vikings in 2022.
Over eight seasons combined with the Ravens, Packers and Vikings Smith has racked up 54.5 sacks, 136 QB hits, 68 tackles for loss, nine forced fumbles, a pair of fumble recoveries and 12 pass breakups.