Veteran Pass Rusher Za'Darius Smith Reportedly Nears Deal, Then Denies, as Falcons and Browns Vie for Services

Reports emerged over the weekend suggesting that three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Za'Darius Smith was on the verge of signing with the Cleveland Browns. However, the veteran pass rusher himself quickly cast doubt on these claims, publicly refuting the news and indicating he had not yet committed to any team.

Smith, who boasts 70.5 career sacks across 11 NFL seasons, directly addressed the speculation. His denial came shortly before he participated in a workout with the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, adding an unexpected twist to his free agency process.

Conflicting Reports Emerge

Local media outlets in Cleveland had reported on Sunday that Smith was expected to finalize a deal with the Browns, with some updates on Monday morning suggesting negotiations were nearing completion. These reports were swiftly challenged by Smith himself.

Taking to social media, Smith directly countered the narrative:

I haven't signed yet. I have another workout tomorrow morning with a different team! Who told you to post this?

The NFL's official transaction wire subsequently confirmed that Smith had indeed undergone a workout with the Falcons on Monday, corroborating his social media statement and highlighting the discrepancy in the initial reports.

Two Teams, One Veteran Talent

The unfolding situation has created an intriguing scenario, with both the Browns and the Falcons clearly expressing interest in securing the services of the experienced pass rusher. The Browns' pursuit is understandable, given Smith's recent history with the team. He spent two seasons in Cleveland, starting 25 games and contributing 10 sacks along with 27 quarterback hits.

For the Falcons, their interest in Smith is fueled by a clear positional need and a notable connection to their coaching staff. Atlanta's new head coach, Kevin Stefanski, previously coached Smith during their shared tenure with the Browns. This prior relationship adds a compelling dynamic to the Falcons' bid, especially considering Stefanski's departure from Cleveland.

When questioned about Smith on Monday, Browns coach Todd Monken deferred to the general manager's office. "I’m not going to comment on that," Monken stated. "I really don’t know where it’s at, so I’ll leave that to Andrew [Berry]."

Atlanta's Pressing Need for Pass Rush

The Falcons appear to have a more immediate and pressing requirement for pass-rushing talent compared to the Browns. The team has been hit by significant setbacks in its defensive line depth early in training camp.

• Former first-round draft pick Jalon Walker suffered an ACL tear and will miss the entire upcoming season.
• Another former first-round selection, James Pearce, is facing an eight-game suspension at the start of the season due to a violation of the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy.

These circumstances leave the Falcons with a critical void in their pass rush, making the acquisition of a proven player like Smith particularly crucial. The prospect of the Falcons outbidding the Browns or otherwise convincing Smith to choose Atlanta could prove to be a significant development, especially given the various interconnected factors at play, including the coaching history.