Cleveland Browns retain linebacker Malcolm Smith

The Cleveland Browns added Malcolm Smith last August and he ended up being a solid linebacker for them. Now, he’s set to return for the 2021 season.

Despite being 31-years old last season, Malcolm Smith ended up being one of the better linebackers for the Cleveland Browns.

A former Super Bowl MVP, Smith was signed in August and ended up appearing in 15 games with four starts for the Browns. He was their highest-graded linebacker and finished the season with 72 tackles, one sack, and one interception.

Cleveland was happy enough with his performance that they have re-signed him, despite the Carolina Panthers also bidding for his services.

Smith was originally a seventh-round pick out of USC back in 2011 for the Seattle Seahawks. He turned into a solid role player for Seattle for the next four seasons and had 130 tackles with two interceptions. During his tenure with the Seahawks, he was able to win a Super Bowl and was the MVP of Super Bowl XLVIII when Seattle knocked off the Denver Broncos — and Smith scored a defensive touchdown in the win.

After his time in Seattle ended, Smith cashed in with a two-year, $7 million deal with the Oakland Raiders. He had 122 tackles in 2015 and 103 the following season ut then started to deal with injuries and has since bounced around the league.

Smith spent one season in San Francisco before splitting time with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Dallas Cowboys in 2019.

Cleveland will still likely add more linebacker help in either free agency or the draft, but retaining Smith at least gives them a veteran capable of starting for them.