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Following Aidan Hutchinson's season-ending injury in Week 6, the Detroit Lions weren't shy about trying to trade for a pass rusher to fill the hole he left behind. As the trade deadline neared, the Cleveland Browns sent Za'Darius Smith and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Lions for a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick. Once the trade was complete, Browns star Myles Garrett gave his thoughts to the media.
“Well first, I’d like to say I’ve never seen a man smile so much going to a new place,” Garrett told the Browns media. “My man was cheesing from ear to ear when he was on TV. But happy to see him feeling good, feeling like himself and being positive.”
With Smith being sent from one team that appears to be on the rebuilding track to a team that's one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl, it's not very hard to see why Smith was as happy as Garrett painted him out to be.
Smith joined the Browns in 2023 through a trade with the Minnesota Vikings, and in his time besides Garrett in Cleveland, Smith started 25 games, accumulating 10.5 sacks, 50 total tackles, 27 QB hits, 14 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble.
However, with the Lions' needing a new pass rusher, they struck a deal with the Browns that resulted in the three-time Pro Bowler being sent to the Motor City.
And while the Browns lost a strong part of their defense, Garrett didn't appear too worried about the guy who ultimately ended up replacing Smith on their defensive line.
Myles Garrett praises Ogbo Okoronkwo as Za'Darius Smith replacement
As Garrett met with the media for the first time since Smith was traded to Detroit, not only was he happy for his former teammate, but he shared why he was confident with the players who will replace Smith for the rest of the season.
“As far as the guys we have here, we have a lot of confidence,” Garrett said. “Ogbo [Okoronkwo] has been consistent since he’s been here. He’s been a threat and he’s been that six-man, really off the bench, and now he’s really going to get an opportunity to show what he can really do on a more consistent basis.”
Okoronkwo is the main guy who will take snaps in place of Smith, and with a ringing endorsement from Garrett, it appears the Browns might not miss Smith as much as some might've thought.
In 15 games with the Browns, Okoronkwo has yet to start. However, in those 15 games, Okoronkwo has totaled 6.5 sacks, 44 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 11 QB hits. So, while he might not be as productive as Garrett or Smith, Okoronkwo may reach similar heights once given a chance to start and play consistently.
Regardless, Garrett seems both happy for his former teammate and confident in the players who now have a shot to show what they're capable of alongside him.
