NFL journeyman and Pro Bowl star to come out of retirement and sign with the Cleveland Browns

Za’Darius Smith is expected to come out of retirement and re-join the Cleveland Browns.

According to Cleveland.com, the three-time Pro Bowler visited the team’s facility for a tryout on Thursday and impressed Browns coaches.

Now the 33-year-old is expected to sign a contract with Todd Monken’s team ahead of the new NFL season.

Smith played for the Browns in the 2023 season but left halfway through the 2024 campaign to join the Detroit Lions.

The defensive end played five games for the Philadelphia Eagles last season on a $9 million contract but announced in October he would be retiring from football.

Smith has played 145 games in his career, earning 70.5 sacks during an impressive career.

The defensive end played five games for the Philadelphia Eagles last season before retiring

He played college football for the East Mississippi Lions and Kentucky Wildcats before being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

Smith has also had spells with the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings.

The Browns have been looking for help on their defensive line since trading Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams back in June. They tried to bring in Jadeveon Clowney but he signed with the Houston Texans.

The Browns acquired Jared Verse from the Rams as part of that deal but Smith will bring experience to a defense that was ranked one of the NFL’s best again last season.