Defensive Tackle · Atlanta Falcons
Maason Smith
No. 92 · 3rd season
Za'Darius Smith chose Atlanta over Cleveland in the final push.
Za'Darius Smith spent his career as a pass rusher who made Pro Bowls and All-Pro rosters — the kind of veteran defensive end teams build around when they're ready to compete. The Cleveland Browns thought they had him. They were deep in negotiations, closing in on a deal that would have made him part of their roster for the coming season.
Then Atlanta moved fast. The Falcons made a strong push at the last moment, and Smith chose them instead. It was a one-year deal, and it was done through Roc Nation Sports, the management group that had been steering the negotiation. A player in his position could have gone either way — both teams wanted him, both were in the hunt. But in the final frame, he picked the Falcons.
Jordan Schultz
@Schultz_Report
Sources: The #Falcons are signing 3x Pro Bowl OLB Za’Darius Smith to a 1-year deal. Smith was in deep talks with the #Browns, but Atlanta made a strong push to land the former All-Pro in a deal done by @ErikBurkhardt of @RocNationSports. https://t.co/GfJVODZD5E
12:52 PM · Aug 18, 2026
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