After Aidan Hutchinson’s season-ending injury in Week 6, the Detroit Lions quickly sought a pass rusher to fill the void. As the trade deadline approached, the Cleveland Browns traded Za’Darius Smith and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Lions in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick. Once the deal was finalized, Browns star Myles Garrett shared his reaction with the media.
“First off, I’ve never seen someone so excited about a move to a new team,” Garrett remarked. “The guy was grinning from ear to ear when he appeared on TV. It’s great to see him feeling confident, energized, and staying positive.”
Considering Smith was moving from a team in rebuild mode to a Super Bowl contender, it’s easy to understand why he was so thrilled, as Garrett described.
Smith was traded to the Browns in 2023 from the Vikings, where he made 25 starts and registered 10.5 sacks, 50 total tackles, 27 QB hits, 14 tackles for loss, and one forced fumble.
However, with the Lions needing a pass rusher, they traded for Smith, acquiring the three-time Pro Bowler.
Though the Browns lost a key defensive player, Garrett expressed little concern about the team’s ability to adapt and fill the gap left by Smith.
