While the Packers not restructuring Aaron Rodgers‘ contract provided one of many Rodgers-saga highlights this offseason, they did adjust Za’Darius Smith‘s deal in order to create cap space. The Pro Bowl pass rusher is believed to be bothered by the fallout from this move.
Going into his third Green Bay season, Smith is disappointed with his Packers contractual status, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes. The Packers exercised an automatic conversion clause in Smith’s deal in March, creating around $8MM in cap space after the team gave Aaron Jones a $12MM-per-year deal. Smith did not realize the implications of this clause, which allowed the Packers to convert base salary to signing bonus money without his go-ahead.
The restructure moved money onto next year’s Packers cap sheet, and Smith is now set to carry a $28.1MM cap charge in 2022. That lofty figure increases the likelihood Smith will be a cap casualty or a trade piece, though given Smith’s production and the fact his contract expires after the 2022 season, a Packers extension would seem to be in play as well. However, the soon-to-be 29-year-old rusher is also irked at the Packers for not paying out his new bonus in March, Florio adds. The team will instead pay it in installments throughout the season, making this new structure similar to a base salary.
The Packers are bringing back Za’Darius and Preston Smith for a third season, doing so despite the latter lagging well behind the former in terms of production. Za’Darius Smith has recorded 26 sacks in two Packers seasons — eight more than his four-year Ravens total — and has not missed a game. Rashan Gary can be controlled on his rookie deal through the 2023 season, giving Green Bay a talented trio of pass rushers.
Za’Darius’ frustration comes at a turbulent time for the Packers, who have failed to patch things up with Rodgers this year. Green Bay’s extension talks with Davante Adams also broke down this week. This will certainly be an interesting stretch for the two-time reigning NFC North champs.
Did his agent not look it over? How could he not know?
Maybe his agent was too busy watching the Jerry Maguire movie.
I think this is 100% the result of the Rodgers debacle
Maybe his moms was his agent
Does he really need the cash immediately instead of paid out over the course of the season? Is his financial situation really that bad? Seems like something that he should have been aware of. I wasn’t aware that teams were able to just decide to do this stuff without the player agreeing to it first. Is that the case? Can teams just change the terms of the guaranteed years of agreed upon and signed contracts without the players knowledge?
Gutey has got to go! He has now pissed off the top three players GB has. They are in for one rough season coming up.
You have zero idea how business in the NFL works. If a player has a problem with his contract, look to his agent. Simple.
Sucks to be a Packer I guess
Maybe someone can invent constipation free cheese.
Dear Green Bay,
Promise, we’ll do everything we can to screw up your football team.
Regards,
Management
Has to be depressing to be a Packers fan now
Not depressing at all. I’m not worried one iota about any of this.
Wow, must suck to be paid millions of dollars over a one year period versus getting it all up front. I am heartbroken
Yeah I guess he must be in dire financial trouble
there’s a very, very obvious problem with management
The Packers aren’t a team known for being wealthy. If Rodgers retires, there’ll be some cap room to go around, but until then… one does not simply go to Green Bay to get paid.
The Packers are a storied franchise with multiple championship titles and nearly two dozen players in the HOF. Most players would be thrilled to be a part of that tradition. Of course if money is all that matters then I guess the hapless Jets could be a preferred destination.
Wow are you oblivious to reality.
Za’darious is a drama queen. If you watch Packers games you notice how often he appears/acts injured, needs to get helped off the field to come back 2 plays later. Like clockwork.
That really is amazing. The guy has a remarkable ability to heal in a heartbeat. That happens more with Smith than any other player I’ve ever seen
Dude had a good 2019, but 2020? Not so much. Come see us when you play up to your paycheck,