The Minnesota Vikings are trying to revamp their defense after a miserable showing during the 2022 season, and that usually involves adding notable pass rushers who can create havoc for opposing quarterbacks. The Vikings thought they did that a year ago when they brought in Za’Darius Smith.

But sometimes it means addition by subtraction. The Vikings have traded Smith to the Cleveland Browns. Prior to playing for the Vikings in 2022, Smith played 4 years for the Baltimore Ravens and 3 years for the Green Bay Packers.

Smith had 10.0 sacks with the Vikings last year, finishing second on the team to Danielle Hunter (10.5 sacks) in that category. The Vikings hoped that the Hunter-Smith combination would be formidable, but that situation fell short of developing.

Smith had 8.5 of his 10 sacks through Week 7 last year, so the second half of the season was not very effective. Smith asked to be released or traded at the end of last season.