Browns' defensive end retires the day before turning 27

Elerson Smith will turn 27 years old on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the Cleveland Browns placed him on the reserve/retired list.

Smith is a defensive end who played two games for the Browns in 2024, recording a pair of tackles. He had signed a reserve/future contract with the Browns in January, keeping him on the offseason roster until this decision.

Smith was a fourth-round pick by the Giants in 2021 after starring in college at Northern Iowa.

He deal with neck issues with the Giants before joining the Jets in October 2023 but being released a month later.

Smith then signed with the Raiders in November 2023 and stuck around until he was waived as an injury on Aug. 27, 2024.

In Sept. 2024, the Browns signed Smith to the practice squad. His active roster action came in November.

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Smith was a tantalizing prospect at 6-foot-6, 252 pounds with 4.75-second 40-yard dash speed.

But after 13 tackles across 15 NFL games, it seems like Smith's career is done.

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