The Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions have been rumored to be ideal trade partners for weeks. The Browns entered Week 9 with only two wins on the season. The Lions are in first place in the NFC North, but they lost star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson (until at least February) due to a broken tibia and fibula.
It was unclear if the Browns would be sellers at the deadline after defeating the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8, with Jameis Winston as Cleveland’s starting quarterback. However, the Los Angeles Chargers took a 20-3 halftime lead at Hunting Bank Field on Sunday.
The Cleveland Browns are set to trade Za’Darius Smith
Per Mike Florio with Pro Football Talk, the Lions are set to finalize a deal with the Browns for Za’Darius Smith.
“Yes, the Lions and Browns have discussed a potential trade for defensive end Za’Darius Smith.,” Florio wrote. “At this point, the expectation is that it’ll be more than talk. Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the current expectation is that Smith will be traded to Detroit tonight or tomorrow.”
Smith wanted to play for the Detroit Lions
Smith said he was agreeable to a trade to Detroit earlier in the season. The All-Pro pass rusher has five sacks on the season.
Smith will provide a boost to a Lions defense that has been relying on the blitz for pressure after losing Hutchinson. Hutchinson recorded 7.5 sacks before sustaining his injury.
Smith has played in the NFC North for the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings. The 32-year-old defensive end has 65 sacks in his NFL career.
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