Za'Darius Smith

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Browns, OLB Age: 31-210d Exp: 8 Years
Drafted: Round 4 (#122 overall), 2015 College: Kentucky Agent(s): Bill Johnson

 
  • Current Contract

    Za'Darius Smith signed a 2 year, $23,000,000 contract with the Cleveland Browns, including a $10,790,000 signing bonus, $12,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $11,500,000. In 2024, Smith will earn a base salary of $1,210,000 and a signing bonus of $10,790,000, while carrying a cap hit of $5,235,000 and a dead cap value of $19,468,000.
    Contract: 2 yr(s) / $23,000,000
    Signing Bonus $10,790,000
    Average Salary $11,500,000
    Total Guarantees $12,000,000
    Guaranteed at Signing $12,000,000
    Free Agent: 2026 / UFA
      Bonus Breakdown Cap Details Cash Details  
    Year   Age Base Salary Signing Roster Roster/Gm Option Cap Hit Dead Cap Yearly Cash Cash AAV
    2024 Contract details by year 32 $1,210,000 $4,025,000 - - - $5,235,000 $19,468,000 $12,000,000($12,000,000) $12,000,000
    Pre-6/1 Release 2024 Dead Cap: $19,468,000 2024 Cap Savings: $-14,233,000 Pre-6/1 Trade 2024 Dead Cap: $18,258,000 2024 Cap Savings: $-13,023,000 Post-6/1 Release 2024 Dead Cap: $5,235,000 2025 Dead Cap: $14,233,000 2024 Cap Savings: $0 Post-6/1 Trade 2024 Dead Cap: $4,025,000 2025 Dead Cap: $14,233,000 2024 Cap Savings: $1,210,000

    Potential Out: 2025, 1 yr, $12,000,000; $14,233,000 dead cap

    2025 Contract details by year 33 $1,500,000 $4,025,000 $2,000,000 $510,000 $1,398,000 $9,433,000 $14,233,000 $11,000,000($23,000,000) $11,500,000
    Pre-6/1 Release 2025 Dead Cap: $14,233,000 2025 Cap Savings: $-4,800,000 Pre-6/1 Trade 2025 Dead Cap: $14,233,000 2025 Cap Savings: $-4,800,000 Post-6/1 Release 2025 Dead Cap: $4,025,000 2026 Dead Cap: $10,208,000 2025 Cap Savings: $5,408,000 Post-6/1 Trade 2025 Dead Cap: $4,025,000 2026 Dead Cap: $10,208,000 2025 Cap Savings: $5,408,000
    2026 Contract details by year 34 - $4,025,000 - - $1,398,000 $15,800,000 $10,208,000 -
    Pre-6/1 Release 2026 Dead Cap: $10,208,000 2026 Cap Savings: $5,592,000 Pre-6/1 Trade 2026 Dead Cap: $10,208,000 2026 Cap Savings: $5,592,000 Post-6/1 Release 2026 Dead Cap: $0 2027 Dead Cap: $10,208,000 2026 Cap Savings: $15,800,000 Post-6/1 Trade 2026 Dead Cap: $0 2027 Dead Cap: $10,208,000 2026 Cap Savings: $15,800,000
    2027 Contract details by year 35 - $4,025,000 - - $1,398,000 $5,423,000 - -
    Pre-6/1 Release 2027 Dead Cap: $0 2027 Cap Savings: $5,423,000 Pre-6/1 Trade 2027 Dead Cap: $0 2027 Cap Savings: $5,423,000 Post-6/1 Release 2027 Dead Cap: $0 2028 Dead Cap: $0 2027 Cap Savings: $5,423,000 Post-6/1 Trade 2027 Dead Cap: $0 2028 Dead Cap: $0 2027 Cap Savings: $5,423,000
    2028 Contract details by year 36 - $2,158,000 - - $1,398,000 $3,556,000 - -
    Pre-6/1 Release 2028 Dead Cap: $0 2028 Cap Savings: $3,556,000 Pre-6/1 Trade 2028 Dead Cap: $0 2028 Cap Savings: $3,556,000 Post-6/1 Release 2028 Dead Cap: $0 2029 Dead Cap: $0 2028 Cap Savings: $3,556,000 Post-6/1 Trade 2028 Dead Cap: $0 2029 Dead Cap: $0 2028 Cap Savings: $3,556,000
    2029 Contract details by year 37 - - - - $1,398,000 $1,398,000 - -
    Pre-6/1 Release 2029 Dead Cap: $0 2029 Cap Savings: $1,398,000 Pre-6/1 Trade 2029 Dead Cap: $0 2029 Cap Savings: $1,398,000 Post-6/1 Release 2029 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Dead Cap: $0 2029 Cap Savings: $1,398,000 Post-6/1 Trade 2029 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Dead Cap: $0 2029 Cap Savings: $1,398,000
    2026 Free Agent Year 38 UFA  
    Contract Notes:
    • $12M guaranteed (signing bonus + 2024 salary)
    • 2025 Roster Bonus: $2M (3rd league day of 2025)
    • 2025 Option Bonus: $6.99M (3rd league day of 2025)
    • 2025 Per Game Active Bonus: $30,000 ($510,000)
    Sources: NFL contract specifics generally collected from verified reports.

    Previous Contracts

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    2023-2023

    Za'Darius Smith signed a 1 year, $11,710,000 contract with the Cleveland Browns, including a $9,335,000 signing bonus, $10,500,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $11,710,000. In 2024, Smith will earn a base salary of $1,210,000 and a signing bonus of $10,790,000, while carrying a cap hit of $5,235,000 and a dead cap value of $19,468,000.
    Contract: 1 yr(s) / $11,710,000
    Signing Bonus $9,335,000
    Average Salary $11,710,000
    Total Guarantees $10,500,000
    Guaranteed at Signing $10,500,000
    Free Agent: 2024 / UFA

    2022-2024

    Za'Darius Smith signed a 3 year, $42,000,000 contract with the Minnesota Vikings, including a $5,000,000 signing bonus, $11,500,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $14,000,000. In 2024, Smith will earn a base salary of $1,210,000 and a signing bonus of $10,790,000, while carrying a cap hit of $5,235,000 and a dead cap value of $19,468,000.
    Contract: 3 yr(s) / $42,000,000
    Signing Bonus $5,000,000
    Average Salary $14,000,000
    Total Guarantees $11,500,000
    Guaranteed at Signing $6,450,000
    Free Agent: 2025 / UFA

    2019-2022

    Za'Darius Smith signed a 4 year, $66,000,000 contract with the Green Bay Packers, including a $20,000,000 signing bonus, $20,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $16,500,000. In 2024, Smith will earn a base salary of $1,210,000 and a signing bonus of $10,790,000, while carrying a cap hit of $5,235,000 and a dead cap value of $19,468,000.
    Contract: 4 yr(s) / $66,000,000
    Signing Bonus $20,000,000
    Average Salary $16,500,000
    Total Guarantees $20,000,000
    Guaranteed at Signing $20,000,000
    Free Agent: 2023 / UFA

    2015-2018Entry Level

    Za'Darius Smith signed a 4 year, $2,763,152 contract with the Baltimore Ravens, including a $483,152 signing bonus, $483,152 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $690,788. In 2024, Smith will earn a base salary of $1,210,000 and a signing bonus of $10,790,000, while carrying a cap hit of $5,235,000 and a dead cap value of $19,468,000.
    Contract: 4 yr(s) / $2,763,152
    Signing Bonus $483,152
    Average Salary $690,788
    Total Guarantees $483,152
    Guaranteed at Signing $483,152
    Free Agent: 2019 / UFA
  • Estimated Career Earnings

    Year Team Awards Salary Signing Bonus Roster Bonus Workout Bonus Restructure Bonus Option Bonus Incentive Earnings
    2015 Player Cash Earnings $435,000 $483,152 - - - - $118,224 $1,036,376
    2016 Player Cash Earnings $525,000 - - - - - - $525,000
    2017 Player Cash Earnings $615,000 - - - - - - $615,000
    2018 Player Cash Earnings $1,907,000 - - - - - - $1,907,000
    2019 Player Cash Earnings $1,000,000 $20,000,000 $500,000 $750,000 - - - $22,250,000
    2020 Player Cash Earnings $2,000,000 - $9,500,000 $750,000 - - $31,239 $12,281,239
    2021 Player Cash Earnings $990,000 - $29,411 $750,000 $14,760,000 - - $16,529,411
    2022 Player Cash Earnings $1,450,000 $5,000,000 $2,823,520 $50,000 - - $3,000,000 $12,323,520
    2023 Player Cash Earnings $1,165,000 $9,335,000 - - - - - $10,500,000
    9 seasons $10,087,000 $34,818,152 $12,852,931 $2,300,000 $14,760,000 - $3,149,463 $77,967,546
    2024 Player Cash Earnings $1,210,000 $10,790,000 - - - - - $12,000,000
    2025 Player Cash Earnings $1,500,000 - $2,000,000 - - $6,990,000 - $11,000,000
    $12,797,000 $45,608,152 $14,852,931 $2,300,000 $14,760,000 $6,990,000 $3,149,463 $100,967,546
    Seasons Team Salary Signing Bonus Roster Bonus Workout Bonus Restructure Bonus Option Bonus Incentive Total Cash
    4 seasons Player Cash Earnings $3,482,000 $483,152 - - - - $118,224 $4,083,376
    3 seasons Player Cash Earnings $3,990,000 $20,000,000 $10,029,411 $2,250,000 $14,760,000 - $31,239 $51,060,650
    1 seasons Player Cash Earnings $1,450,000 $5,000,000 $2,823,520 $50,000 - - $3,000,000 $12,323,520
    1 seasons Player Cash Earnings $1,165,000 $9,335,000 - - - - - $10,500,000
  • Fines

    • Player contract details by year 12/22/2023, $16,391

      Roughing the Passer against Chicago (CHI)


    • Player contract details by year 10/20/2023, $10,927

      Unsportsmanlike Conduct against San Francisco (SF)


    • Player contract details by year 09/25/2020, $10,000

      Unsportsmanlike Conduct against Detroit (DET)


    • Player contract details by year 10/11/2019, $10,527

      Unsportsmanlike Conduct against Dallas (DAL)


    • Player contract details by year 10/06/2017, $18,231

      Roughing the Passer against Ben Roethlisberger (PIT)


    • Player contract details by year 10/28/2016, $18,231

      Roughing the Passer against Ryan Fitzpatrick (NYJ)


    • TOTAL: $84,307

  • Transactions

    Mar 11 2024Signed a 2 year $23 million contract with Cleveland (CLE)
    Dec 22 2023Fined $16,391 Roughing the Passer against Chicago (CHI)
    Oct 20 2023Fined $10,927 Unsportsmanlike Conduct against San Francisco (SF)
    May 12 2023Signed a 1 year $10.5 million restructured contract with Cleveland (CLE)
    May 12 2023Traded to Cleveland (CLE) from Minnesota (MIN) with 2025 6th round pick and 2025 7th round pick for 2025 5th round pick and 2024 5th round pick (#157)
    Mar 22 2022Signed a 3 year $42 million contract with Minnesota (MIN)
    Mar 17 2021Converted $14.26 million of 2021 salary into bonus, clearing $7.38M of cap space with Green Bay (GB)
    Sep 25 2020Fined $10,000 Unsportsmanlike Conduct against Detroit (DET)
    Oct 11 2019Fined $10,527 Unsportsmanlike Conduct against Dallas (DAL)
    Mar 12 2019Signed a 4 year $66 million contract with Green Bay (GB)
    Oct 6 2017Fined $18,231 Roughing the Passer against Ben Roethlisberger (PIT)
    Oct 28 2016Fined $18,231 Roughing the Passer against Ryan Fitzpatrick (NYJ)
    May 8 2015Signed a 4 year $2.763 million contract with Baltimore (BAL)
    May 2 2015Drafted by Baltimore (BAL): Round 4 (#122 overall)
  • 2024 Player Rankings

    A visual look at how Za'Darius Smith ranks across the league, conference, division, and team.

     

    Cap Hit ($0) Rank
    NFL: #
    Cleveland Browns: #
    Outside Linebacker: #

    Total Cash ($0) Rank
    NFL: #
    Outside Linebacker: #

    Average Annual ($0) Rank
    NFL: #
    Outside Linebacker: #
  •  

    Statistics

    Season Team GA GP GS Snaps Snaps% Sacks Tackles Solo Tackles Ast Tackles FF INT
    2023 CLE 16 16 15 584 58.6 5.5 27 18 9 1
    2022 MIN 16 16 16 771 69.5 10 44 32 12 1
    2021 GB 1 1 18 1.8 1 1
    2020 GB 16 16 16 860 83.9 12.5 52 35 17 3
    2019 GB 16 16 16 883 84.3 13.5 55 41 14 1
    2018 BAL 16 16 8 692 66.9 8.5 45 27 18 1
    2017 BAL 14 14 4 531 48.6 3.5 24 15 9 1
    2016 BAL 13 13 4 494 47.5 1 20 10 10 1
    2015 BAL 15 15 407 38.1 5.5 30 20 10
    Totals 123 123 79 5,240 - 60 298 199 99 9 0