The Minnesota Vikings are trading three-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Za'Darius Smith to the Cleveland Browns, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
The Browns are sending a 2024 fifth-round pick and 2025 fifth-round pick in exchange for Smith and 2025 sixth- and seventh-rounders, Pelissero adds.
Smith will join Cleveland on a reworked contract that guarantees him $11.75 million in 2023 and makes him a free agent following the season, Rapoport adds. The veteran was previously under contract through the 2024 campaign.
The 30-year-old appeared to be at a crossroads with the Vikings after he reportedly requested a release earlier this offseason. Smith impressed in his only season in Minnesota, posting 10 sacks and 15 tackles for a loss in 2022.
Smith will be part of a talented pass-rush group in Cleveland that's headlined by Myles Garrett. The Browns paired former No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney opposite Garrett for the last two seasons. However, the club didn't re-sign Clowney after he posted just two sacks last year.
Smith played the first four seasons of his career for the Baltimore Ravens before spending 2019-21 with the Green Bay Packers. He's tallied 54.5 career sacks, including 36 over the last four years.
