The Cleveland Browns had already made a significant trade this season, sending five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills, before moving defensive end Za’Darius Smith to the Detroit Lions this week.

Smith is expected to boost a Lions team that’s already the best in the NFC, especially in an area where they’ve needed improvement — their defensive line.

With star defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson recently suffering a season-ending leg injury, Smith admitted that the move to the Lions crossed his mind at that point, according to Colton Pouncy.

While Smith may not quite match Hutchinson’s level — Hutchinson made the Pro Bowl last season, his second year in the NFL, and had 7.5 sacks in five games this season — he is still a significant addition.

For the Browns, it appears they may be entering a rebuilding phase.

Quarterback Deshaun Watson recently suffered a torn Achilles, which will sideline him for the rest of the season, and there are rumors that he may have played his final game for Cleveland.

Jameis Winston, the former No. 1 overall draft pick, has taken over at quarterback, while second-year wide receiver Cedric Tillman has shown a lot of promise over the last three games.

With a 2-7 record, the Browns’ playoff hopes are slim, but their focus is now on the future, starting with the development of their young players.