What Za'Darius Smith trade means for Lions, Browns - ESPN

DETROIT — Help is on the way for the Lions.

One of the NFL's hottest teams is getting a much-needed boost in the pass-rush department after Detroit has agreed to trade for Cleveland Browns defensive end Za'Darius Smith, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Detroit will receive Smith and a 2026 seventh-round draft selection from the Browns and give up a 2025 fifth-rounder and a 2026 sixth-rounder in the trade, according to Schefter.

After losing Pro Bowl edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson in Week 6 to a fractured tibia and fibula during a 47-9 win over the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, the Lions will rely on Smith to pick up the slack with a committee approach after losing Hutchinson.

Hutchinson injured his left leg on a play in which he was sacking Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. He was viewed as an early favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year before getting hurt. Entering Week 6, he led the NFL in sacks, pressures and pass rush win rate.

As the news of Smith's trade to Detroit broke, Lions coach Dan Campbell was making his weekly appearance on 97.1 The Ticket. While on the air, he couldn't officially confirm the deal but reiterated his belief in general manager Brad Holmes.

«Man, I trust him. He knows what he's doing and if it works out, great. If it doesn't, it doesn't,» Campbell told the «Costa & Jansen with Heather» show. «But it's like the thought of giving away high capital for a player none of us are going to like, that just doesn't sit well with any of us.

»So, if it makes sense, it makes sense. If it doesn't, it doesn't, but what we've got here we'll win with."

It means the Lions are serious about pursuing a Super Bowl title and wanted to address one of their major areas of concern, which is the pass rush,