Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Myles Garrett needs all the help he can get, which is why the Browns should probably try to keep edge rusher Za’Darius Smith if they have the financial wherewithal.
The good news is that Cleveland seems to be angling to retain Smith.
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports that the Browns would love to re-sign the veteran pass rusher who is slated to hit free agency in a couple of weeks.
General manager Andrew Berry also had some nice things to say when asked about Smith at the NFL Scouting Combine this week.
“He fit really well,” Berry said, via Scott Petrak of Browns Zone. “Really pleased with his production. He was awesome in the room. We really loved having him around. How all those pieces fit together we’re still figuring it out.”
While Berry did speak about Smith in past tense, it doesn’t necessarily mean that Cleveland is parting ways with him this offseason.
However, Berry is obviously fully aware of the fact that the Browns have very limited cap room even after the salary cap spike, which may make it difficult for the club to bring Smith back.
Smith played in 16 games this past season, registering 27 tackles, 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
The Browns initially acquired the 31-year-old in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings last May.
Smith, who played his collegiate football at the University of Kentucky, was originally selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
He spent the first four years of his career with the Ravens but didn’t really break out until he got to the Green Bay Packers in 2019, when he racked up 55 tackles and 13.5 sacks.
Smith proceeded to make back-to-back trips to the Pro Bowl in his first two seasons with the Packers before a back injury knocked him out for all but one game in 2021.
The Montgomery, Al. native then spent one season with the Vikings before being dealt to Cleveland.
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