Lions are clear-cut Chargers fans on Sunday if they want Za'Darius Smith

As next Tuesday's trade deadline nears, it's no secret the Detroit Lions are looking for an edge rusher. Plenty of reports say so, and fresh information from The Athletic's Dianna Russini on Saturday only reinforced it.

"It’s no secret Lions coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes have beenhunting for an edge rushersince losing Aidan Hutchinson to a season-ending injury. (Hutchinson hasn’t played since Oct. 13 but is still third in the NFL in sacks.) The team has checked in with numerous teams around the league, including Cleveland with hopes of landing Za’Darius Smith."

The attachment of Smith's name to Detroit is also hardly new. He's certainly a scheme fit, and the overall cost to get him would seem to be right in the Lions' wheelhouse.

With that low potential cost in mind, the Browns are likely fielding calls from multiple teams about Smith. There's also the question of where the Browns see themselves on the buyer-seller scale at the deadline, though at 2-6 it seems obvious where they should see themselves on the scale.

The Lions are obvious Chargers' fans on Sunday

Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports offered some extra information about the trade deadline, including a nugget about the Browns, as we start to measure the time left before the trade deadline in hours.

"Cleveland appeared to put a pause on things this week after beating the Ravens and moving to 2-6. Again… Myles Garrett is staying in Cleveland! But Za'Darius Smith and/or Elijah Moore could be on the move in the coming days -- especially with a loss Sunday to the Chargers -- since they've been potential trade candidates for a few weeks now."

The difference between 3-6 (albeit on a two-game home winning streak) and 2-7 is apparently pretty big in the eyes of the Browns' front office. They also have their bye in Week 10, so the trade deadline aligns with having the week off as an assessment point for their season.

West coast teams don't have great general history traveling to play in the Eastern time zone, and Sunday's game is in Cleveland. The Chargers are narrow favorites though (1.5 points, via FanDuel Sportsbook), and the game has the second lowest over-under on Sunday's slate (42.5 points). So a close, low-scoring game is expected.

"GRIT" is the Lions' usual slogan. In the early window of games on Sunday they should be temporary card-carrying members of Chargers' Nation (#Bolt Up). A loss stands to push the Browns fully into sell-mode before Tuesday afternoon, and make Smith all the more available.