The Cleveland Browns surprised many people by winning 11 games and making the playoffs during the 2023 season despite season-ending injuries to Nick Chubb and Deshaun Watson.
They did so with defense, as a number of players they brought in last offseason paid dividends.
One of them, defensive end Za’Darius Smith, will be back with them in 2024, as they’re re-signing him to a two-year contract, per the NFL’s official Twitter account.
Browns re-signing LB Za'Darius Smith on two-year, $23.5M deal. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/yJCBinnreY
— NFL (@NFL) March 11, 2024
Smith came to Cleveland last offseason in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings, and he posted 5.5 sacks, 20 quarterback hits, eight tackles for loss, and three passes defended during the 2023 season.
A fourth-round draft pick in 2015, he spent his first four years with the Baltimore Ravens, then played three seasons with the Green Bay Packers.
The Browns’ defense came up big in 2023, as it led the league in total yards allowed and yielded three Pro Bowlers: linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, cornerback Denzel Ward, and star defensive end Myles Garrett.
Of course, Garrett was also named the Defensive Player of the Year after posting 14.0 sacks, 30 quarterback hits, and 17 tackles for loss.
Smith, who is 31 years of age, may be a bit diminished compared to recent seasons, but he did get named to the Pro Bowl as recently as 2022 and has been selected to the Pro Bowl a total of three times in his career.
Providing Garrett with some production on the other side of the defensive line will be critical for Smith in 2024 if the Browns are to make it back to the playoffs and do some damage there this time.
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