With a 7-1 record and the organization’s best start to a campaign since 1956, the Detroit Lions have serious playoff aspirations and the team will look to translate its regular season success into a Super Bowl appearance. for the first time.
To give itself ammunition before the second half of the season, Detroit completed a trade with the Cleveland Browns before the deadline later Tuesday.
According to Adam Schefter of the ESPN network, veteran Za’Darius Smith will take charge of Detroit in exchange for a 5th round (2025) and 6th round (2026) pick. The Lions also get a 7th round pick in 2026 from the Browns.
Smith, a 32-year-old veteran, was in his second season in Cleveland. He also wore the uniform of the Vikings, Packers and Ravens during his 10-season NFL career.
A three-time Pro Bowl invitee, Smith had three seasons with ten or more sacks in the Packers and Vikings uniforms. He thus finds a division with which he is very familiar.
The addition of Smith comes on the heels of star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson being injured three weeks ago. The Lions’ defensive leader, who had quite a start to the season, will not be back in action until next year.
Za’Darius Smith was in uniform last Sunday during the Browns’ loss to the Chargers, and he already has five quarterback sacks to his name in 2024.
Detroit will face the Houston Texans in their next game this weekend.
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