The Cleveland Browns’ season hasn’t started off as well as they had intended.
Things won’t get much easier for them along the way; they are currently at the bottom of the AFC North with a 1-5 record.
The Browns’ next opponent is the Cincinnati Bengals, and with the trade deadline approaching and Amari Cooper already departing the team, there is speculation around the league that more players may be leaving.
As the deadline draws near, veteran DE Za’Darius Smith might be a guy to keep an eye on, according to a report by Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
With the NFL trade deadline just 17 days away, @DMRussini is keeping an eye on several players who could be on the clock, including:
◽️ Deebo Samuel
◽️ Bryce Young
◽️ DeAndre Hopkins
◽️ Za'Darius SmithMore intel: https://t.co/E6crkfRj3N pic.twitter.com/OSqgzP71eq
— The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) October 19, 2024
In the midst of his second season in Cleveland, Smith has established himself as a highly regarded and vocal member of the team’s locker room.
Nevertheless, he recently made headlines when he said he would “like” to be moved to the Detroit Lions in order to play against the Minnesota Vikings, his old team.
Notably, top DE Aidan Hutchinson of the Lions recently left the team, so maybe there’s something there.
In theory, Kevin Stefanski’s squad still has a chance to save the season, but there is little room for error.
The team’s chances would be virtually ruined by a loss against the Bengals.
In that scenario, they could be better off mailing it in this season and trying to acquire as many draft picks in exchange for their veterans. Smith, in particular, appears to have plenty of gas left in the tank and might be of assistance to a number of clubs.
