The Cleveland Browns knew life would be different along the defensive line after trading Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams.
Jared Verse was a nice return, as were the future draft picks, but the Browns also needed the remaining members of the defensive end group, most notably Alex Smith and Isaiah McGuire, to step up in support of Verse.
With the first preseason game on Saturday against the Chicago Bears, and the opening game of the 2026 regular season looming in a little more than four weeks, it is fair to wonder if those plans have gone awry.
On Wednesday, the Browns hosted 10 players for a tryout, with defensive end Genard Avery, who has not played since a one-game appearance with the Indianapolis Colts in 2024, on the list.
Free agent pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith, who recently un-retired with the possibility of playing, worked out for the #Browns today. pic.twitter.com/l3A4lcFAp8
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 13, 2026
Today, it was time for another blast from the past as the Browns reportedly hosted free agent defensive end Za’Darius Smith for a workout, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
An 11-year veteran, Smith appeared in 25 games for the Browns, starting in 2023, before he was traded to the Detroit Lions midway through the 2024 season. Smith finished out that season with the Lions before signing with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025, only to retire after just five games with Philadelphia.
Smith is a surprising name to see pop back up in Berea, but continues a trend of the Browns looking for more help at defensive end. They originally agreed to a one-year deal with free agent A.J. Epenesa before the deal fell through after Epenesa failed his physical.
Cleveland also had free agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney in for a visit and was interested in signing him, but Clowney chose to sign with the Houston Texans.
Now they are eyeing Smith, who had 10.5 sacks during his time with the Browns, and 70.5 sacks for his career. He would be a veteran presence on what is mostly a young defensive line, which is nice.
But after the way he walked away from the Eagles – a team with legitimate playoff aspirations – last season, the Browns have to weigh how much production he may still bring to the field vs. how much his heart is really still in the game.