The Cleveland Browns traded pass rusher Za'Darius Smith to the Detroit Lions last November along with a 2026 seventh-round pick for a 2025 fifth-rounder and a 2026 sixth-rounder.
He was intended to fill part of the void left by star defender Aidan Hutchinson after a broken leg sidelined him for the season.
Now, Hutchinson is healthy and ready to start 2025 and the Lions no longer need - or want to pay - Smith.
On Sunday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that the Lions intend to waive Smith, making him an immediate agent ahead of the March 10 "legal tampering period."
Smith tallied four sacks in eight games with Detroit after. posting five sacks in nine games with the Browns.
The former Kentucky Wildcat will turn 33 later this year and has 69 total career sacks.
Now that the Browns have re-signed Myles Garrett to his massive deal, Smith could come back for a reunion of sorts in Cleveland.
Cleveland originally drafted Smith in the fourth round at No. 122 of the 2015 NFL Draft.
