Za’Darius Smith Is on the Move
In 2022, the Minnesota Vikings needed a running mate for Danielle Hunter in an attempt to form a strong pass-rushing duo on the edges. Once the Packers released long-time defender Za’Darius Smith, the Vikings poached and hired the defender on a fairly cheap deal.
Za’Darius Smith Is on the Move
In fact, that deal was so cheap that he wanted a raise after the season. The Vikes said “no” and traded him to the Cleveland Browns after a trade request for the mere return of a couple of late-round picks.
Smith will turn 33 the day of Minnesota’s season opener, and he will join a new club ahead of Week 2. The man will suit up for the already-stacked Philadelphia Eagles.
Tom Pelissero reported Friday afternoon, “Three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Za’Darius Smith is signing with the #Eagles on a one-year deal, sources tell me and @RapSheet. Smith has 69 career sacks, including nine last season. Now he joins the defending champs.”
The Eagles won the Super Bowl because their team was fantastic everywhere, but the pass rush was a nightmare for opponents. However, Philly lost Milton Williams and Josh Sweat in free agency, and they now add another demon to their defensive line.
ESPN’s Tim McManus wrote, “The Eagles lost Brandon Graham to retirement and Josh Sweat in free agency this past offseason. They signed Joshua Uche and Azeez Ojulari to one-year deals to support starters Nolan Smith Jr. and Jalyx Hunt. Ojulari had a quiet summer and was inactive for the season opener against the Cowboys.”
The NFC East team defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the season opener and is already 1-0.
Coming out of Kentucky in 2015, the Baltimore Ravens snagged him in the fourth round. He was a rotational player for four years, and in the final season of that rookie contract, he registered 8.5 sacks and showed some real promise.
The Packers then hired him in free agency, and he exploded in Green Bay, even logging a couple of Pro Bowls, including 26 sacks in his first two seasons in the North. After an injury-riddled season, the Packers released their star defender, and the Vikings made the move to lure him across the border.
He was good for a season, but ultimately, he wanted out after a year with ten sacks. Smith was traded to Cleveland, where he stayed until the last trade deadline. Then, the Detroit Lions traded for him. The Eagles are now his sixth team in the league.
Zach Berman, The Athletic, noted, “The Eagles have Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt as their top edge rushers, although the depth chart is muddled behind them. Josh Uche is No. 3, and Azeez Ojulari and Ogbo Okoronkwo are the other edge rushers on the 53-man roster. Both players were inactive on Thursday in favor of Patrick Johnson, who was elevated from the practice squad and contributed on special teams and defense. Uche, Ojulari and Okoronkwo are all on one-year deals after the Eagles lost Josh Sweat in free agency, saw the retirement of Brandon Graham and traded Bryce Huff from last year’s Super Bowl roster.”
Smith has registered 69 sacks in 140 career games.
Berman added, “Smith can usurp them on the depth chart if he proves he’s still productive in Year 11. At 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds, he brings size and versatility to the defense. He’s played in different schemes during his career and has started 96 of 140 games.”
The Vikings will meet the Eagles in Week 7, and Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw will meet their old teammate.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.