Za'Darius Smith

Detroit Lions, Defensive End
Age: 32-66d (Sep 08, 1992)
Exp: 9 Years
Country: US
College: Kentucky
Drafted: Round 4 (#122 overall), 2015
Agent(s): Erik Burkhardt (Roc Nation Sports)
2024 Cap Hit

$605,000

2024 Cash

$1,210,000

Career Earnings

$79,177,546

2024-2025 Free Agent (CURRENT)

Za'Darius Smith signed a 2 year , $23,000,000 contract with the Cleveland Browns, including $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 $605,000, while carrying a cap hit of $605,000 and a dead cap value of $18,863,000.
Contract Terms:
2 yr(s) / $23,000,000
Average Salary:
$11,500,000
Signing Bonus:
$10,790,000
GTD at Sign:
$12,000,000
Total GTD:
$12,000,000
Free Agent:
2026 / UFA
MANAGE CONTRACT
Year Age Status Cap HitAnnual Cap % League Cap Cash Annual Cash Cumulative Dead Cap Annual
2024 32 $605,000 0.24% $605,000 $605,000 $18,863,000
POTENTIAL OUT: 2025, 1 YR, $605,000; $14,233,000 DEAD CAP
2025 33 $5,408,000 1.98% $11,000,000 $11,605,000 $14,233,000
2026 34
Void
UFA
 $1,398,000 0.48% - $11,605,000 $10,208,000
2027
Void
 $1,398,000 0.45% - $11,605,000 -
2028
Void
 $1,398,000 0.42% - $11,605,000 -
2029
Void
 $1,398,000 0.39% - $11,605,000 -
Accrued Dead Cap
2024 32 $4,630,000 1.81% $605,000 $605,000 -
2025 33 $16,100,000 5.89% - - -
Year Age Status Base P5 Salary Roster Bonus Roster/Gm Bonus Option Proration Cap Hit Cap % League Cap Dead Cap
2024 32 $605,000 - - - $605,000 0.24% $18,863,000
POTENTIAL OUT: 2025, 1 YR, $605,000; $14,233,000 DEAD CAP
2025 33 $1,500,000 $2,000,000 $510,000 $1,398,000 $5,408,000 1.98% $14,233,000
2026 34
Void
UFA
 - - - $1,398,000 $1,398,000 0.48% $10,208,000
2027
Void
 - - - $1,398,000 $1,398,000 0.45% -
2028
Void
 - - - $1,398,000 $1,398,000 0.42% -
2029
Void
 - - - $1,398,000 $1,398,000 0.39% -
Accrued Dead Cap
2024 $605,000 - - - $4,630,000 1.81% -
2025 - - - - $16,100,000 5.89% -
Year Age Status Base P5 Salary Roster Bonus Option Bonus Cash Total Cash Cumulative AYC Cumulative AYC Remaining
2024 32 $605,000 - - $605,000 $605,000 $605,000 $5,802,500
2025 33 $1,500,000 $2,000,000 $6,990,000 $11,000,000 $11,605,000 $5,802,500 $11,000,000
2026 34
Void
 - - - - $11,605,000 - -
2027 35
Void
 - - - - $11,605,000 - -
2028 36
Void
 - - - - $11,605,000 - -
2029 37
Void
 - - - - $11,605,000 - -
Retained/Dead Cash
2024 32 - $605,000 - - $605,000 $605,000 $605,000 $302,500
2025 33 - - - - - - - -
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)
Source: NFL contract specifics generally collected from verified reports.

2023-2023 Extension

Za'Darius Smith signed a 1 year , $11,710,000 contract with the Cleveland Browns, including $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, while carrying a cap hit of $3,077,000 and a dead cap value of $7,468,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $11,710,000
Average Salary:
$11,710,000
Signing Bonus:
$9,335,000
GTD at Sign:
$10,500,000
Total GTD:
$10,500,000
Free Agent:
2024 / UFA
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2022-2024 Free Agent

Za'Darius Smith signed a 3 year , $42,000,000 contract with the Minnesota Vikings, including $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 $14,450,000, a roster bonus of $2,500,000 and a workout bonus of $50,000, while carrying a cap hit of $21,666,666 and a dead cap value of $1,666,666.
Contract Terms:
3 yr(s) / $42,000,000
Average Salary:
$14,000,000
Signing Bonus:
$5,000,000
GTD at Sign:
$6,450,000
Total GTD:
$11,500,000
Free Agent:
2025 / UFA
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2019-2022 Free Agent

Za'Darius Smith signed a 4 year , $66,000,000 contract with the Green Bay Packers, including $20,000,000 signing bonus, $20,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $16,500,000.
Contract Terms:
4 yr(s) / $66,000,000
Average Salary:
$16,500,000
Signing Bonus:
$20,000,000
GTD at Sign:
$20,000,000
Total GTD:
$20,000,000
Free Agent:
2023 / UFA
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2015-2018 Rookie

Za'Darius Smith signed a 4 year , $2,763,152 contract with the Baltimore Ravens, including $483,152 signing bonus, $483,152 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $690,788.
Contract Terms:
4 yr(s) / $2,763,152
Average Salary:
$690,788
Signing Bonus:
$483,152
GTD at Sign:
$483,152
Total GTD:
$483,152
Free Agent:
2019 / UFA
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Seasons

9 Years

Career Earnings thru 2024

$79,177,546

Earnings w/ Different Teams

5 teams

Earnings Per Year

Year Age Team(s) Status Cash Total Cash Cumulative Awards
2015 23
Active
$1,036,376
$1,036,376
2016 24
Active
$525,000
$1,561,376
2017 25
Active
$615,000
$2,176,376
2018 26
Active
$1,907,000
$4,083,376
2019 27
Active
$22,250,000
$26,333,376
2020 28
Active
$12,281,239
$38,614,615
2021 29
Active
$16,529,411
$55,144,026
2022 30
Active
$12,323,520
$67,467,546
2023 31
Active
$10,500,000
$77,967,546
2024 32
Retained
Active
$605,000
$605,000
$78,572,546
$79,177,546
Total      
$79,177,546
$78,572,546
$79,177,546
2025 33
Active
$11,000,000
Total
$90,177,546

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Roster Restructure Option Incentives Cash Cumulative
4 $3,482,000 $483,152 - - - $118,224 $4,083,376
3 $3,990,000 $20,000,000 $10,029,411 $14,760,000 $2,250,000 $31,239 $51,060,650
1 $1,450,000 $5,000,000 $2,823,520 - $50,000 $3,000,000 $12,323,520
2 $1,770,000 $9,335,000 - - - - $11,105,000
1 $605,000 - - - - - $605,000
Year Team(s) Age Base Signing Roster Restructure Option Workout Incentives Cash Total Cash Cumulative
2015
23
$435,000
$483,152
$118,224
$1,036,376
$1,036,376
2016
24
$525,000
$525,000
$1,561,376
2017
25
$615,000
$615,000
$2,176,376
2018
26
$1,907,000
$1,907,000
$4,083,376
2019
27
$1,000,000
$20,000,000
$500,000
$750,000
$22,250,000
$26,333,376
2020
28
$2,000,000
$9,500,000
$750,000
$31,239
$12,281,239
$38,614,615
2021
29
$990,000
$14,760,000
$29,411
$750,000
$16,529,411
$55,144,026
2022
30
$1,450,000
$5,000,000
$2,823,520
$50,000
$3,000,000
$12,323,520
$67,467,546
2023
31
$1,165,000
$9,335,000
$10,500,000
$77,967,546
2024
32
$605,000
$605,000
$605,000
$605,000
$78,572,546
$79,177,546
Total
$11,297,000
$34,818,152
$14,760,000
$12,852,931
$2,300,000
$3,149,463
$79,177,546
$78,572,546
$79,177,546
2025
33
$1,500,000
$2,000,000
$6,990,000
$11,000,000
Total
$12,797,000
$34,818,152
$14,760,000
$14,852,931
$6,990,000
$2,300,000
$3,149,463
$90,177,546

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Roster Restructure Option Incentives Cash Cumulative
4 $3,482,000 $483,152 - - - $118,224 $4,083,376
3 $3,990,000 $20,000,000 $10,029,411 $14,760,000 $2,250,000 $31,239 $51,060,650
1 $1,450,000 $5,000,000 $2,823,520 - $50,000 $3,000,000 $12,323,520
2 $1,770,000 $9,335,000 - - - - $11,105,000
1 $605,000 - - - - - $605,000

Injuries

Year Weeks Reason
2021 GB 2 - 18 Back
  • Nov 05, 2024 Traded to Detroit (DET) from Cleveland (CLE) with 2026 7th round pick for 2025 5th round pick and 2026 6th round pick
  • Mar 11, 2024 Signed a 2 year $23 million contract with Cleveland (CLE)
  • Dec 22, 2023 Fined $16,391 Roughing the Passer against Chicago (CHI)
  • Oct 20, 2023 Fined $10,927 Unsportsmanlike Conduct against San Francisco (SF)
  • May 12, 2023 Signed a 1 year $10.5 million restructured contract with Cleveland (CLE)
  • May 12, 2023 Traded 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 - traded)
  • Mar 22, 2022 Signed a 3 year $42 million contract with Minnesota (MIN)
  • Mar 17, 2021 Converted $14.26 million of 2021 salary into bonus, clearing $7.38M of cap space with Green Bay (GB)
  • Sep 25, 2020 Fined $10,000 Unsportsmanlike Conduct against Detroit (DET)
  • Oct 11, 2019 Fined $10,527 Unsportsmanlike Conduct against Dallas (DAL)
  • Mar 12, 2019 Signed a 4 year $66 million contract with Green Bay (GB)
  • Oct 06, 2017 Fined $18,231 Roughing the Passer against Ben Roethlisberger (PIT)
  • Oct 28, 2016 Fined $18,231 Roughing the Passer against Ryan Fitzpatrick (NYJ)
  • May 08, 2015 Signed a 4 year $2.763 million contract with Baltimore (BAL)
  • May 02, 2015 Drafted by Baltimore (BAL): Round 4 (#122 overall)

Fines

Date Reason Fine Amount
Oct 28, 2016 Roughing the Passer against Ryan Fitzpatrick (NYJ) $18,231
Oct 06, 2017 Roughing the Passer against Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) $18,231
Oct 11, 2019 Unsportsmanlike Conduct against Dallas (DAL) $10,527
Sep 25, 2020 Unsportsmanlike Conduct against Detroit (DET) $10,000
Oct 20, 2023 Unsportsmanlike Conduct against San Francisco (SF) $10,927
Dec 22, 2023 Roughing the Passer against Chicago (CHI) $16,391
Year Team GP GS Snaps Snaps% Sack Tackles Total Tackles Solo Tackles Assisted FFum Int
2024 CLE 9 8 298 59.20 5 23 15 8 0 0
2023 CLE 16 15 584 55.10 6 27 18 9 1 0
2022 MIN 16 16 771 66.40 10 44 32 12 1 0
2021 GB 1 0 18 30.00 0 1 1 0 0 0
2020 GB 16 16 860 83.90 13 52 35 17 3 0
2019 GB 16 16 883 84.30 14 55 41 14 1 0
2018 BAL 16 8 692 66.90 9 45 27 18 1 0
2017 BAL 14 4 531 48.60 4 24 15 9 1 0
2016 BAL 13 4 494 47.50 1 20 10 10 1 0
2015 BAL 15 0 407 38.10 6 30 20 10 0 0

Calculated Market Value

$13.8M Avg. Annual Salary

Market Value

  • 2 years, $27,642,812
  • Avg. Salary: $13,821,406
  • NFL Rank: 168
  • DE Rank: 14

Current Contract

  • Free Agent: 2026
  • Avg. Salary: $11,500,000
  • NFL Rank: 207
  • DE Rank: 19

Comparable Players

We've selected the following players based on their age, contract status, and statistical production to compare Za'Darius Smith to.

Player Length Value Avg. Salary Age When Signed
Preston Smith 4 $52,000,000 $13,000,000 29
Randy Gregory 5 $70,000,000 $14,000,000 29
Matt Judon 4 $54,500,000 $13,625,000 28
Shaquil Barrett 4 $68,000,000 $17,000,000 28
Averages 4 $61,125,000 $14,406,250 28.5

Base Calculated Value

After adjusting the above contracts as if signed at Smith's current age (32), a linear regression is performed, providing us with the following initial value.

Length Value Avg. Salary
2 $27,816,666 $13,908,333

Statistical Comparisons

Now we'll compare our variables and Smith statistically over the two seasons prior to their signing. In this case we're analyzing: GP%, Tackles/Gm, Sacks/Gm, Stops/Gm, QB Hurries/Gm, Rating

Player GP% Tackles/Gm Sacks/Gm Stops/Gm QB Hurries/Gm Rating
Preston Smith
2020-2021
 96.97 1.69 0.41 1.50 1.88 66.95
Randy Gregory
2020-2021
 66.67 1.36 0.43 1.14 1.73 79.55
Matt Judon
2019-2020
 93.75 2.50 0.52 1.93 1.50 64.95
Shaquil Barrett
2019-2020
 96.88 2.84 0.89 2.29 3.39 74.20
Average 88.57 2.10 0.56 1.72 2.13 71.41
Za'Darius Smith
2022-2023
 96.97 1.56 0.48 1.47 2.91 82.40
Pct Change 9.48 -25.71 -14.29 -14.53 36.62 15.39
Median Prime % Change -2.41%
Average Prime % Change 1.16%

Calculated Market Value: Za'Darius Smith

After applying our Prime % figures into our base calculated value, we're given two values. The average of these values becomes our current calculated market value.

Terms Avg. Salary
2 years, $27,642,812 $13,821,406

FEATURED PLAYER NEWS

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8 of the Scariest Active Contracts

Spotrac celebrates the Halloween season with a look at 8 of the scarier active contracts in major professional sports, including two each from the NFL, NBA, MLB, & NHL.

TRANSACTIONS

Nov 05, 2024
Traded to Detroit (DET) from Cleveland (CLE) with 2026 7th round pick for 2025 5th round pick and 2026 6th round pick
Mar 11, 2024
Signed a 2 year $23 million contract with Cleveland (CLE)
Dec 22, 2023
Fined $16,391 Roughing the Passer against Chicago (CHI)
Oct 20, 2023
Fined $10,927 Unsportsmanlike Conduct against San Francisco (SF)
May 12, 2023
Signed a 1 year $10.5 million restructured contract with Cleveland (CLE)
May 12, 2023
Traded 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 - traded)
Mar 22, 2022
Signed a 3 year $42 million contract with Minnesota (MIN)
Mar 17, 2021
Converted $14.26 million of 2021 salary into bonus, clearing $7.38M of cap space with Green Bay (GB)
Sep 25, 2020
Fined $10,000 Unsportsmanlike Conduct against Detroit (DET)
Oct 11, 2019
Fined $10,527 Unsportsmanlike Conduct against Dallas (DAL)
Mar 12, 2019
Signed a 4 year $66 million contract with Green Bay (GB)
Oct 06, 2017
Fined $18,231 Roughing the Passer against Ben Roethlisberger (PIT)
Oct 28, 2016
Fined $18,231 Roughing the Passer against Ryan Fitzpatrick (NYJ)
May 08, 2015
Signed a 4 year $2.763 million contract with Baltimore (BAL)
May 02, 2015
Drafted by Baltimore (BAL): Round 4 (#122 overall)

TRENDING PLAYERS

  • 1 Za'Darius Smith (DE, DET)
  • 2 DeAndre Hopkins (WR, KC)
  • 3 Marshon Lattimore (CB, NO)
  • 4 Khalil Herbert (RB, CIN)
  • 5 Azeez Ojulari (OLB, NYG)

TRENDING PAGES

  • 1 NFL Free Agents
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  • 4 NFL Salary Rankings
  • 5 NFL Trade
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