The long-standing rumors proved correct in this case. The Cleveland Browns have traded EDGE Za’Darius Smith to the Detroit Lions hours ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline. Cleveland sends Za’Darius Smith and a 2026 7th-round pick to the Lions in exchange for a 5th-round pick in 2025 and a 6th-round pick in 2026.

Smith joins a Detroit team in need of an edge rusher. The NFC-leading Lions (7-1) have been hunting for one since losing Aidan Hutchinson to tibia and fibula fractures on Oct. 13 that will sideline him for the rest of the regular season.

The Detroit Lions announced Tuesday that they have acquired defensive lineman Za'Darius Smith via trade with the Cleveland Browns.

A person familiar with the trade tells The Associated Press the Cleveland Browns are trading defensive end Za'Darius Smith to the Detroit Lions, who were looking for an edge rusher following star Aidan Hutchinson's leg injury.

The Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns started Tuesday's NFL Trade Deadline action by agreeing to a trade that will send Cleveland pass rusher Za'Darius Smith to Detroit. This much-speculated move has come to fruition and will help the Lions further their efforts to make a Super Bowl run after Detroit lost Aidan Hutchinson for the season.

Checking in with Detroit Lions fans for our latest SB Nation Reacts survey: What are your expectations for Za’Darius Smith’s Lions debut?

The Detroit Lions opted to sit veteran edge rusher Za'Darius Smith last week, even though he was ready to play. Head coach Dan Campbell explained the thought process behind that and revealed that Smith will make his debut in Week 11.

The Detroit Lions are bolstering their pass rush by acquiring one of the top targets available at the trade deadline. Detroit completed a trade with the Cleveland Browns to get Za’Darius Smith and a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2025 and a sixth-round pick in 2026.