Overview
- Multiple Cleveland-area reports say the Browns hosted Za’Darius Smith for a tryout on Thursday and that he passed a physical, and the team is expected to sign him as soon as Sunday.
- No contract has been announced and the signing remains unconfirmed, with Smith briefly posting and deleting a social-media reply that suggested he had not yet signed.
- If completed, the deal is expected to be short-term and role-specific, giving the Browns situational pass-rush snaps and veteran mentorship for younger edges rather than replacing a full-time starter.
- Smith is a three-time Pro Bowler with about 70.5 career sacks and broad experience across several teams, which frames him as an immediate, credible depth option for Cleveland.
- The move follows Cleveland’s trade of Myles Garrett and earlier veteran workouts as the Browns look to bolster their pass rush, and it could help Jared Verse’s development while still falling short of Garrett’s production.