Former Packers’ star Za’Darius Smith has recently expressed his main goal this upcoming season is winning a Super Bowl ring with the Cleveland Browns.
Smith’s professional career has spanned several teams, including the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, and most recently, the Cleveland Browns. His career stats show an impressive tally of 256 total tackles and 53.5 sacks in 107 games, alongside nine forced fumbles.
Smith, who was traded from the Minnesota Vikings to the Cleveland Browns earlier this month, is part of the Browns’ efforts to return to the level they reached in 2020 when they played against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round.
Super Bowl or Bust for the Browns?
In an interview with Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal, Smith stated, “That’s the No. 1 goal is to help this team win a Super Bowl. Well, first of all, win the (AFC) North, well, win the division, sorry, and then go on and play in the Super Bowl”.
It appears that Smith’s mindset is very much focused on team objectives, as he believes individual goals will follow once the team’s success is ensured. While not the exact words he used, it sounds like Za’Darius Smith thinks it’s Super Bowl or bust for the Browns this year.
Why Is Smith So Confident the Browns Can Win It All?
Having played on four consecutive NFC North-winning teams, including the Packers in 2019-21 and the Vikings in 2022, Smith possesses a level of championship pedigree that can be imparted to his new teammates. He emphasized the importance of winning the division first, as it is the starting point for any potential journey to the Super Bowl.
Smith also expressed enthusiasm about playing alongside All-Pro teammate Myles Garrett, with whom he has already started building a bond. Garrett and Smith, who both have achieved at least 10 sacks in three of the last four seasons, are poised to form a powerful defensive duo for the Browns.
Smith is optimistic that this partnership, along with the new-look Browns defensive line, will have a synergistic impact on the team’s performance. He cited his breakthrough season in 2019, where he achieved a career-high 13.5 sacks while his teammate Preston Smith added 12, as an example of this kind of mutual growth.
As he moves into the scheme favored by Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Smith is returning to his roots. He expressed comfort with this shift, drawing from his experiences in college, junior college, and high school, where he played as a 4-3 end. Smith is also recovering well from a knee injury he sustained last season and claims to feel “perfectly fine”.
The arrival of Smith in Cleveland is already sparking excitement among Browns fans and players alike, and his determined mindset, coupled with his proven track record, is raising expectations for the coming season. As he sets his sights on a Super Bowl victory, Smith’s contributions to the Browns could be a game-changer in their quest for glory.