Report: Bengals losing free agent to Browns

Chris Smith is heading north to continue his NFL career.

According to multiple reports, the defensive lineman will sign with the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday after spending last season with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Smith was a productive reserve in 2016 after being acquired via trade from the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The 6-foot-1, 266-pounder had 26 tackles, including three sacks.

Cincinnati might have liked to keep him if possible, but the team website reported he would not fit into their plans anymore after they agreed to acquire offensive lineman Cordy Glenn from Buffalo on Monday.

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The team reportedly set aside $15 million to spend on free agents — including their own — while reserving other money they have under the cap for contract extensions to players such as defensive linemen Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins yet to be done.

Glenn is set to make $11.25 million this season.

That is money far better spent on the offensive line, a weakness last year, than the defensive line, a position that is more easily upgraded through the draft as colleges continue to churn out pass rushers of various sizes every year.

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