The Minnesota Vikings made a significant transaction on Friday evening.
The Vikings traded edge rusher Za’Darius Smith to the Cleveland Browns for two fifth-round selections, according to Ian Rapaport and Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network.
The trade comes just one year after the Vikings signed Smith, 30, to a three-year, $42 million in free agency. In one season with the Vikings, Smith totaled ten sacks and 15 tackles for loss.
Following the significant news, fans and analysts took to Twitter to react to the trade.
Some thought the trade was good for the Vikings
Good trade
— Andrew Booth Jr. Enthusiast (@VikingsReport_) May 12, 2023
Vikings win this trade cause
1.) he most likely wouldn’t have played for them
2.) they add needed picks
3.) they dump his contract so they can pay Addison and McBride— JORDAN ADDISON SZN (@SeanHowlan) May 12, 2023
Now trade Cook and get more 2024 draft picks.. #Vikings pic.twitter.com/GGHbN4edVp
— Donavon 🧲 (@LordDonavon) May 12, 2023
Vikings get more draft capital, free up a big chunk of money. Another sign that the Vikings are viewing 2024 as the big year to make moves in the draft and free agency
— Vikeologist™ (@Vikeologist) May 13, 2023
Others questioned the move
Vikings defense gets worse and not much of a return for it.
— Vikings Spin (@vikingsspin) May 12, 2023
Not in love with the deal but I get why it had to happen. Does make me nervous about the pass rushing depth (or lack thereof).
— KJ (@VikingsGazette) May 13, 2023
Some of y’all fans be wilding something else, Rick makes this trade and wouldn’t be “let him cook” lmfao #Vikings #skol pic.twitter.com/jYXHMfmWAz
— WanyeBest.eth (@TheWanyeBest) May 13, 2023
So the Vikings who’s defense was terrible last year have decided to improve by trading away one of their best defenders?
— david meers (@Phoenixhp429) May 12, 2023
Some analysts liked the deal for the Browns
Interesting trade for the Browns. Will more than likely be the complement to Myles Garrett(when he’s healthy, major question mark there). Want to see the compensation for MIN https://t.co/ZEAHdG9dcp
— JP Acosta (Pug Dederson Stan Acct) (@acosta32_jp) May 12, 2023
Za'Darius Smith Trade Grades
Browns
Cleveland adds a very solid pass rusher without dropping in total number of current draft picks. Adding the productive Smith and his alignment versatility should give their defense a boost.
Only a small negative of losing back to back 5th…— The GOAT House (@GoatHouseNFL) May 13, 2023
Other analysts understood the trade for the Vikings
Za’Darius Smith was a monster the first nine games.
After he hurt his knee, he disappeared. Signing Marcus Davenport and getting something for Smith is good for the #vikings.
— Ali Siddiqui (@asiddiqui15) May 12, 2023
By trading Za’Darius Smith the Vikings save $12.156M in cap space and $3.33M in dead money hits the books.
Some cap space freed up for potential extensions to Justin Jefferson, TJ Hockenson, Danielle Hunter later this summer https://t.co/KazBHnRYTw
— Sean Borman (@THESeanBorman) May 12, 2023
