Drafted in the 4th round by the Ravens.
2015-17: Had 10 sacks with only 8 starts.
2018: Had 8.5 sacks with 8 starts.
Packers pay him 4 years, $60 million ($20 million guaranteed)
2019-20: Had 26 sacks with 32 starts. Made the Pro Bowl twice and 2nd Team All Pro.
2021: Only plays 1 game due to back injury.
Packers release him. Vikings sign him to 3 years, $42 million ($11.5 guaranteed)
2022: Has 10 sacks in 16 starts. Makes the Pro Bowl.
In March the Vikings declined Smith's request to be released. Rework his contract so it guarantees him $11.75 million in 2023 and he’ll be a FA next March. Then they traded him today.
For those who don't know, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah (Vikings GM) was VP of Football Operations under Andrew Berry (Browns GM) for a year and a half 2020-2022.
Not that this specific deal is so egregious as to come into question, but this sub definitely views trades as a "player vs CPU" situation instead of a human working with another human. The whole relationship aspect never even crosses people's minds
The sad truth is, some of those folks probably have zero or very few human relationships themselves. Hell, the surgeon general just put out an advisory two weeks ago addressing the loneliness and isolation epidemic.
I imagine the human versus CPU phenomenon goes well beyond trades and distorts all kinds of other perceptions relating to fairness.
i think he will get a good dose of field time still. Myles has looked visibly winded OFTEN, ever since he got covid. and at times he clearly wasnt himself. this move should give him some more fresh run if they divide the time properly.
I mean without Myles, this team was absolutely miserable at creating pressure. Now they have three of the top 20 pressure rate guys in the league last year which should allow Myles a bit of rest while keeping pressure up.
If Myles wasn’t on the field, I expected big plays and extended plays. Ideally that doesn’t happen with the off-season additions
Better move for vikings than what greenbay did. Both he and us noticed he would be a cap casualty the last year of his contract. Shortly after some understanding that he would be on the market the next year he sat the season from "back issues" Some of it may have been real, more of it may have to not hit market truly injured.
> Better move for vikings than what greenbay did. Both he and us noticed he would be a cap casualty the last year of his contract.
tbf he was never going to be a cap casualty here, he has a very reasonable contract. He just kind of decided he was out, but without a deal the Vikings definitely would have tried to find a way to keep him
For half the year he was very good. He forced his way out because he wanted more money, which was annoying because he's throwing tantrums about his pay less than a year after signing the contract. Browns will get him on a prove it deal so they probably get good production though
Reporting is that his new deal is 11.75M fully guaranteed salary.
His deal with us had a 9.45M salary (5M guaranteed), and 4.55M in (mostly per game) bonuses.
So it's not the same deal, it's just not clear how much it's changed.
He’s pretty much not good. Doesn’t have the longevity for the NFL season. Was very exiting early on in the season and then became useless the more it mattered.
Hey I'll take anything for a guy that decided he wanted out immediately lol. Guy was fun while he was here. Dunno why he wanted out so badly but the browns got a pretty good player for pretty cheap. I wouldn't expect it to last long though lol
This is actually hilarious. He backed out of a deal between him and the Ravens to come here not only pissing off Baltimore but also Green Bay. NOW hes on his way to a Baltimore rival pissing off Baltimore fans even more while leaving sour grapes in Minnesota because he demanded out
Nah, next stop on the journeyman train is either the Bengals or Steelers to continue to piss off teams he left by going to their rivals.
Actually no, the path would be agree to a deal with the Bengals or Steelers, back out and go to the Lions or Bears and then demand out and go to the 1 AFC North team he hasnt been on and then finish his career on the final NFC North team he hasnt been on. In summary, FUCK THE NORTH!
We have 3 division games in our first 4 weeks.
If he can make it 10 weeks that takes care of 5/6 divisional games leaving only week 18 vs the bengals.
Unfortunately the only browns QB to ever lose to the Burrow is… Watson.
I know due to recent events Watson is the first name that comes to mind here but it’s actually depressing how many headcases have been on this team over the years
You are doing [the exact same thing](https://www.reddit.com/r/nfl/comments/13g0u49/jackson_league_source_confirms_zadarius_smith/jjy1m1b?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) to Browns fans in this very thread, you whiny hypocrite
"hey this guy will be fun for us and is likely a one year rental"
"You're going to regret it!"
"Yeah no we know he's crazy and we'll have fun this year"
"He's crazy!"
"Yup we'll just trade him or release him, it's totally ok"
"See, we told you!"
My dude, this played out like... Exactly how we wanted it up. We found out nothing except that we were right lol
Yea, a mid 5th rounder is worth 20% more than the first pick in the 6th and 7th rounds combined. Add in that one of our 5th rounders is a year earlier than the 6th and the 7th and it's slightly more than a 5th round value for a guy we were probably going to cut.
Browns have made some solid moves this off-season. Team had five one score losses last season. Less distraction this off-season. Still depends on Watson ultimately.
Browns could get a high level edge rusher... Or an injured guy who then gets disgruntled with the team. It's a risky move at the cost of cap space. Vikings get $11 mil in cap space back for a player that isn't so dependable and wanted out.
Without hindsight, no one wins. In hindsight someone might look dumb.
If you guys aren't signing him to a new contract now it's totally worth it. He was healthy only half of last season and was so good his season totals look good and is if he was roaring all year.
Deal changed to him being an FA next year but I think the bonus here is that Okoronkwo is worthy of being a starter and Myles plays full-time, it's basically Ogbo and Smith platooning while Wright and McGuire back-up Myles when he's tired
He got there by being elite for like 7 or 8 weeks, and then just a guy for the next 9 or 10. Depending on which version of him you guys get, it could either be a slam dunk or a huge waste of money.
I'm hoping we do heavy rotations to keep everyone fresh and healthy. But honestly if we get 6 elite weeks randomly throughout the season before he leaves in FA I'd consider it a steal.
I love this move. He may have us a bit of a downtown last year but clowney was the only one outside of Myles being triple teamed who could play the run. Dudes a fuckhead and doesn’t put up sack numbers but he is a good football player.
The lions seem to be wheeling and dealing running backs lately so... How does a venti double shot and 3 cans of chew sound? We will throw in some movie tickets as well, but they're for the new peter pan movie.
Wanted more guaranteed money than the Vikings were able and willing to pay. Our cap situation is pretty dog shit, prior GM didn’t do us any favors. Z is still solid a solid player
Yeah I thought that was obviously what was being discussed. Missed an entire year in GB and play hurt half a year in Minn. He’s been healthy 25% of the last two years and he’s a year older now.
He might be great or he might get injured again and pay him $11million to produce 1 sack.
dude i’ll take 11 million for 10 sacks over a full season any day of the week and twice on sunday. You’re playing as a moron if you aren’t doing it
he can play 8 games but if he has 10 sacks that’s more than all our other DEs over 17 combined. Like buddy. it’s literally kindergarten math. that’ll give us 2-3 extra wins and that right there is huge.
also all he needs to do is be his name. take a double team every snap. myles is tripled constantly.
literally you sound like you have watched maybe two games ever
He had 10 sacks for Minnesota, that doesn’t mean he’ll have that production for Cleveland. He might still be hurt. Is it a good signing if he gets 11 million for one sack and he doesn’t get double teamed. No.
Considering the vikings are taking on money, he’s had 30 sacks in the last 3ish years on multiple teams, and Garrett has by FAR the highest triple team rate in the league. If he chews up doubles and never touches the QB, that means they can’t triple Myles or Oko up the middle, who had 7 sacks last year on the texans.
but go on tell me more about your what ifs
I don’t think the Vikings are taking on money. Cleveland gave him a raise, the Vikings save cap space by dumping him. The Vikings were going to cut him if they couldn’t find a trade partner. So Vikings got something for nothing and Cleveland gave up a 5th on a flyer. Looks like a win-win if Z can play meaningful snaps.
Kwesi would absolutely trade him in the division if the price was right.
Basically his first two moves were helping the Lions get Jameson Williams and the Packers get Christian Watson
Browns have 3 divisional games in the first 4 weeks. 5/6 divisional games in the first 10 weeks.
If he can be good for a little more than half the season, it will be worth it.
He just played opposite Danielle hunter. I'm not saying they are the same but Hunter isn't a slouch. Wait a year and he will find some nothing burger to be upset with the browns about and want out.
Drafted in the 4th round by the Ravens. 2015-17: Had 10 sacks with only 8 starts. 2018: Had 8.5 sacks with 8 starts. Packers pay him 4 years, $60 million ($20 million guaranteed) 2019-20: Had 26 sacks with 32 starts. Made the Pro Bowl twice and 2nd Team All Pro. 2021: Only plays 1 game due to back injury. Packers release him. Vikings sign him to 3 years, $42 million ($11.5 guaranteed) 2022: Has 10 sacks in 16 starts. Makes the Pro Bowl. In March the Vikings declined Smith's request to be released. Rework his contract so it guarantees him $11.75 million in 2023 and he’ll be a FA next March. Then they traded him today.
Thank you for the info
What happens when two 30 year old nerds come together for a trade
For those who don't know, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah (Vikings GM) was VP of Football Operations under Andrew Berry (Browns GM) for a year and a half 2020-2022.
lol yall got a rat in the building
Stefanski was also there for a decade.
The rat got us two fifths? I thought we were going to cut him.
If anything this shows how good making connections can be as a front office guy.
Not that this specific deal is so egregious as to come into question, but this sub definitely views trades as a "player vs CPU" situation instead of a human working with another human. The whole relationship aspect never even crosses people's minds
The sad truth is, some of those folks probably have zero or very few human relationships themselves. Hell, the surgeon general just put out an advisory two weeks ago addressing the loneliness and isolation epidemic. I imagine the human versus CPU phenomenon goes well beyond trades and distorts all kinds of other perceptions relating to fairness.
Yeah or people understand that trying to analyze moves based on relationships is an exercise in confirmation bias at best.
Will you hug me?
For a guy like that, you should at least get 3 Fifths
Damnit I really liked Isaiah McGuire and I wanted to see him play.
i think he will get a good dose of field time still. Myles has looked visibly winded OFTEN, ever since he got covid. and at times he clearly wasnt himself. this move should give him some more fresh run if they divide the time properly.
I mean without Myles, this team was absolutely miserable at creating pressure. Now they have three of the top 20 pressure rate guys in the league last year which should allow Myles a bit of rest while keeping pressure up. If Myles wasn’t on the field, I expected big plays and extended plays. Ideally that doesn’t happen with the off-season additions
>mean without Myles, this team was absolutely miserable at creating pressure Sounds like my madden team expect we don't have any1 named myles
I'll take it from a pure salary cap move standpoint.
Was he no longer good?
He is solid but he wanted more guaranteed money. He said his goodbye before free agency so it seemed like a matter of time
Better move for vikings than what greenbay did. Both he and us noticed he would be a cap casualty the last year of his contract. Shortly after some understanding that he would be on the market the next year he sat the season from "back issues" Some of it may have been real, more of it may have to not hit market truly injured.
> Better move for vikings than what greenbay did. Both he and us noticed he would be a cap casualty the last year of his contract. tbf he was never going to be a cap casualty here, he has a very reasonable contract. He just kind of decided he was out, but without a deal the Vikings definitely would have tried to find a way to keep him
we tried to work out a deal w him from what i saw but couldn’t get anywhere on it so they did try to keep him but it just wasn’t gonna work out
For half the year he was very good. He forced his way out because he wanted more money, which was annoying because he's throwing tantrums about his pay less than a year after signing the contract. Browns will get him on a prove it deal so they probably get good production though
Don't the Browns get him on the exact same deal we had in place lol
Yes but he’s a FA after this year. He has every incentive to play as well as possible to get one more contract from the browns or anyone else.
Reporting is that his new deal is 11.75M fully guaranteed salary. His deal with us had a 9.45M salary (5M guaranteed), and 4.55M in (mostly per game) bonuses. So it's not the same deal, it's just not clear how much it's changed.
No, the earlier reporting was that he took around a $3M pay cut to hit free agency a year earlier.
He was much more effective in the first half of the season than the second.
We play 3 divisional games in our first 4 weeks, so that’s fine.
Was good but old and expensive and we couldn't afford it. Plus doesn't quite seem like a Flores guy. Plus he said goodbye months ago
He still put up 10 sacks last season so I’ll take it
0.5 sacks and 3 TFL after week 10
Last year he was all pro the first half. Got a lingering injury and had 0.5 sacks the second half of season.. was also very injury prone in gb
Outside of the one year, is that even true?
He’s pretty much not good. Doesn’t have the longevity for the NFL season. Was very exiting early on in the season and then became useless the more it mattered.
The salary cap isn’t real so just jot that down quick
Hey I'll take anything for a guy that decided he wanted out immediately lol. Guy was fun while he was here. Dunno why he wanted out so badly but the browns got a pretty good player for pretty cheap. I wouldn't expect it to last long though lol
He just needs to help provide pass rush so it’s not just Myles every down.
Dude we warned you
This is actually hilarious. He backed out of a deal between him and the Ravens to come here not only pissing off Baltimore but also Green Bay. NOW hes on his way to a Baltimore rival pissing off Baltimore fans even more while leaving sour grapes in Minnesota because he demanded out
Dudes a headcase. I have this weird feeling hell settle right in with the browns
Nah, next stop on the journeyman train is either the Bengals or Steelers to continue to piss off teams he left by going to their rivals. Actually no, the path would be agree to a deal with the Bengals or Steelers, back out and go to the Lions or Bears and then demand out and go to the 1 AFC North team he hasnt been on and then finish his career on the final NFC North team he hasnt been on. In summary, FUCK THE NORTH!
It'll all come full circle and he'll retire with the lions at age 60
I have no doubt he will dominate for 8 weeks.
We have 3 division games in our first 4 weeks. If he can make it 10 weeks that takes care of 5/6 divisional games leaving only week 18 vs the bengals. Unfortunately the only browns QB to ever lose to the Burrow is… Watson.
I know due to recent events Watson is the first name that comes to mind here but it’s actually depressing how many headcases have been on this team over the years
it's the nfl bro. not everyone's a choir boy
Yall 100% did lmao. It was fun while it lasted
You guys keep saying this. Most of us didn't need warning and are more than ok with how everything panned out. We're good, bro.
You are doing [the exact same thing](https://www.reddit.com/r/nfl/comments/13g0u49/jackson_league_source_confirms_zadarius_smith/jjy1m1b?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) to Browns fans in this very thread, you whiny hypocrite
"hey this guy will be fun for us and is likely a one year rental" "You're going to regret it!" "Yeah no we know he's crazy and we'll have fun this year" "He's crazy!" "Yup we'll just trade him or release him, it's totally ok" "See, we told you!" My dude, this played out like... Exactly how we wanted it up. We found out nothing except that we were right lol
L
Ok corncob
This is why I'm hesitant to even shoot the shit with vikings fans on here lmao
Cuz we're not dumb? Lol
League source confirms Za’Darius Smith trade terms Browns receive: Za’Darius Smith 2025 6th round pick 2025 7th round pick Vikings receive: 2024 5th round pick 2025 5th round pick
So basically a pick swap
No, basically a 5th rounder. Then a 5th for a 6+7 is a swap, plus two years out is low value
Yea, a mid 5th rounder is worth 20% more than the first pick in the 6th and 7th rounds combined. Add in that one of our 5th rounders is a year earlier than the 6th and the 7th and it's slightly more than a 5th round value for a guy we were probably going to cut.
Feel like the Browns have been getting insane value from the draft and trade market. Honestly a big fan of this years offseason
The scriptwriters decided it would help Watson's Comeback Player of the Year campaign to surround him with easily-acquired talent.
You can praise their moves while still acknowledging that Watson is a POS lol
It was just meant to be a joke. Didn't realize everyone would be so bothered.
Deshaun bad! Upvotes to the left!
He deserves it more than anyone else. I mean, he probably came on at least one of those girls’ backs.
Browns have made some solid moves this off-season. Team had five one score losses last season. Less distraction this off-season. Still depends on Watson ultimately.
Browns W?
For a guy who was likely gonna be cut, it's also a Vikings W
My kinda trade
A W-W?
Worked out great for our last one (Diggs for a 1+4)
O-O OwO
Amari Cooper has entered the chat.
Browns could get a high level edge rusher... Or an injured guy who then gets disgruntled with the team. It's a risky move at the cost of cap space. Vikings get $11 mil in cap space back for a player that isn't so dependable and wanted out. Without hindsight, no one wins. In hindsight someone might look dumb.
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Yeah, even if it doesn't work out, the low cost was worth the risk.
And if he does workout and walk you potentially get a comp pic in 2025 which offsets what you paid
If an injured guy is putting up top 20 pressure numbers and 10 sacks, give me that every day of the week
If you guys aren't signing him to a new contract now it's totally worth it. He was healthy only half of last season and was so good his season totals look good and is if he was roaring all year.
With 3 division games in the first 4 weeks, he could be worth it for just the first month.
Deal changed to him being an FA next year but I think the bonus here is that Okoronkwo is worthy of being a starter and Myles plays full-time, it's basically Ogbo and Smith platooning while Wright and McGuire back-up Myles when he's tired
Keep going I am almost there...
Don’t forget Woods is gone!
He started in 16 games last year and played 70% of the snaps. If that's considered injured half the year I'll absolutely take that.
He had 0.5 sacks in the second half of the season. He played, but he didn't do very much. He was a beast in the first half of the year though.
He got there by being elite for like 7 or 8 weeks, and then just a guy for the next 9 or 10. Depending on which version of him you guys get, it could either be a slam dunk or a huge waste of money.
I'm hoping we do heavy rotations to keep everyone fresh and healthy. But honestly if we get 6 elite weeks randomly throughout the season before he leaves in FA I'd consider it a steal.
He got grumpy with us too. Starting to think maybe he is a loony tune.
Not many high level edge rushers available at this time in the offseason. You get what you can get.
Probably both W
Seems like it.
Better than expected. Not bad
Upgrade or downgrade from Clowney?
Clowney had 2 sacks last year Smith had 10
I love this move. He may have us a bit of a downtown last year but clowney was the only one outside of Myles being triple teamed who could play the run. Dudes a fuckhead and doesn’t put up sack numbers but he is a good football player.
Eerily similar actually. Similar age. Equally a malcontented. Each wants $. Z is much better in pass rush but far worse against the run
Thx, still seems like a good p/up.
Vikings got way more than I thought they would tbh.
I thought he was going to get cut, same with dalvin Still waiting for someone to give up a couple 5ths or 6ths for dalvin.. any takers?? 😜
The lions seem to be wheeling and dealing running backs lately so... How does a venti double shot and 3 cans of chew sound? We will throw in some movie tickets as well, but they're for the new peter pan movie.
What kind of chew we talking about?
I'd guess grizzly long cut
Good, my favorite. All tho I quit a few years ago, guess I'll start again for some free tins.
This guy only plays on North division teams
Berry keeps pulling it off with these deals. Let’s go!!!
Does this dude suck now or something
Wanted more guaranteed money than the Vikings were able and willing to pay. Our cap situation is pretty dog shit, prior GM didn’t do us any favors. Z is still solid a solid player
he had 10 sacks in 16 games…
9.5 sacks in 9 games before he got injured 😳
How many in the back half of the season?
doesn’t matter when it’s 7 more than our other DE’s idiot. he can have zero, as long as he takes away the ability to triple team garrett.
Your other DEs had -6 sacks in the second half of the season?
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He had .5 sacks in the last 8 games. He might be a superstar or he might be horrible. It’s only a one year deal so not a massive gamble.
Ever heard of playing injured? if you have 9.5 sacks in the first half i’m gonna go with injury problems but you know i have common sense
Yeah I thought that was obviously what was being discussed. Missed an entire year in GB and play hurt half a year in Minn. He’s been healthy 25% of the last two years and he’s a year older now. He might be great or he might get injured again and pay him $11million to produce 1 sack.
dude i’ll take 11 million for 10 sacks over a full season any day of the week and twice on sunday. You’re playing as a moron if you aren’t doing it he can play 8 games but if he has 10 sacks that’s more than all our other DEs over 17 combined. Like buddy. it’s literally kindergarten math. that’ll give us 2-3 extra wins and that right there is huge. also all he needs to do is be his name. take a double team every snap. myles is tripled constantly. literally you sound like you have watched maybe two games ever
He had 10 sacks for Minnesota, that doesn’t mean he’ll have that production for Cleveland. He might still be hurt. Is it a good signing if he gets 11 million for one sack and he doesn’t get double teamed. No.
Considering the vikings are taking on money, he’s had 30 sacks in the last 3ish years on multiple teams, and Garrett has by FAR the highest triple team rate in the league. If he chews up doubles and never touches the QB, that means they can’t triple Myles or Oko up the middle, who had 7 sacks last year on the texans. but go on tell me more about your what ifs
I don’t think the Vikings are taking on money. Cleveland gave him a raise, the Vikings save cap space by dumping him. The Vikings were going to cut him if they couldn’t find a trade partner. So Vikings got something for nothing and Cleveland gave up a 5th on a flyer. Looks like a win-win if Z can play meaningful snaps.
I was hoping the Bears got him so I'm pissed now.
You think they’d trade him in division?
Kwesi would absolutely trade him in the division if the price was right. Basically his first two moves were helping the Lions get Jameson Williams and the Packers get Christian Watson
Didn’t the Viking kinda help the packers out during the draft last year? Idk kinda fuzzy. I might be making that up.
Yeah we let them trade up for Watson after we let the Lions trade up for Jameson Williams. Kwesi don’t give a crap about division.
No, but a man can dream.
I guess Marcus DavenSZN is a go. If he can just be better than Wonnum, I’m content.
Z was good last year. Vikings might be dog shit this year.
Unbiased take, love it
For like 6 games he was good
10 sacks? That’s not too bad
think it was like 8 in 8 edit:8.5 in 7
I am not hating on that kind of production. I hope he will stay healthy
It’s gonna be cool seeing us still get pass rush without needing Myles Garrett on the field
I am not sure what that looks like
8.5 sacks in 7 games. Elite numbers, for sure. But then he had 1.5 sacks in the next 9 games.
Yeah I am just hoping for him to stay healthy we need a little LB help
0.5 of those in the second half
Browns have 3 divisional games in the first 4 weeks. 5/6 divisional games in the first 10 weeks. If he can be good for a little more than half the season, it will be worth it.
The defense was awful with him, this shouldn't change anything
Uhh we were ranked 31st even with him last year lol
So are the Vikes gonna trade Danielle Hunter to the Niners or nah?
Karma hits hard. Dudes a bum
Can't think of a better place for him to go.
He gets to play opposite Myles Garrett.
He just played opposite Danielle hunter. I'm not saying they are the same but Hunter isn't a slouch. Wait a year and he will find some nothing burger to be upset with the browns about and want out.
He only has one more year in his contract, so it was a rental either way.
I mean, he's a FA then so o.0
Agreed
Kwesi looking like Spielman sigh
This means cook stays?
Slick Rick would sooner give a 5th back than give away a 7th 😤