Kenny Clark‘s restructure moved the Packers down to roughly $40MM over the expected 2022 cap, and Brian Gutekunst identified another way the team plans to continue its crusade toward cap compliance.
Za’Darius Smith will not be brought back on his current deal, which calls for a $27.7MM cap number next season. The Packers have not ruled out keeping the former Pro Bowl edge rusher, but Rob Demovsky notes (via Twitter) the team will not do so at that figure. Smith is coming off a season in which he played in just two games — Week 1 and Green Bay’s divisional-round loss — and one year remains on his contract.
[RELATED: Release Candidate: Za’Darius Smith]
The Packers signed Smith to a four-year, $66MM deal in 2019. The ex-Ravens edge defender delivered on the deal over its first two seasons, going to two Pro Bowls and combining for 26 sacks. Last year changed Smith’s course. He and the Packers did not see eye to eye regarding a restructure, one that ballooned his 2022 cap figure to this place, and the surgery-inducing back issue Smith encountered stalled his on-field momentum.
Void years would be necessary to lower Smith’s cap number, if he is to stay on his current deal. An extension would be another solution. Smith, 29, is not in the best position to command top dollar on a new deal. It will be interesting to see how the Packers play this, though Gutekunst did (via the Green Bay Press-Gazette’s Ryan Wood, on Twitter) did indicate he has a good relationship with the veteran pass rusher.
Green Bay has Preston Smith attached to a reworked contract, one that expires after 2022 as well, and Rashan Gary emerged as a starter while replacing Za’Darius Smith last season. Preston Smith‘s cap number ($19.7MM) also makes him vulnerable; he also has been the Packers’ less productive edge-rushing Smith when both players are healthy. The Packers have Gary’s fifth-year option decision to make by May; exercising it would keep him under contract through 2023. A midseason pickup, Whitney Mercilus is on track for free agency.
jets need to trade for him
The Jets should not be trading draft capital for an expensive 30 year old who played one game last year. Really like the player, but that fit doesn’t make the most sense.
He gone!
I think they restructure Zadrius and release Preston that will save a big chunk of money
I think it’ll be the opposite. I believe it’ll cost a LOT more to retain Z than Preston, and that’s assuming both sides are not just willing to negotiate, but find common ground. Z is also coming off a back injury that basically cost him a full season. I’d be wary of that if I’m GB.
Well could you see an incentive laden contract for Z as a possibility. I got to believe that maybe Turner as the same. I do believe that Rodgers if staying will then be willing to have his moved to a signing bonus if they let him have more say. But then again I believe Campbell a must resign along with our safety being done. We don’t get them on defense you might as well punt on trying to win
I really can’t. He was unhappy they re-did his deal last year without his input, and if they cut him now I don’t understand why he’d agree to an incentive laden deal to come back.
Turner might though. Extend him a year to bring the cap hit down makes some sense.
Assuming Rodgers stays, I think it’s likely an extension gets done which supposedly will significantly drop his ’22 cap hit. Personally, I do (still) think it’s time to start fresh. A trade can help drop the dead money as well.
Definitely agree on Campbell.
Safety..? Do you mean Douglas the CB? If so, agree there too.
I meant they need to redo or sign Amos to an extension. But yes I agree Douglass has to be brought back and he already said that his deal doesn’t have to be for a lot cause he wants to stay.
I forgot about Amos. An extension is thought to be in the works, or at least the beat writers believe it will get done.
The thing about Douglas is..I don’t doubt his words per se..but if the market says he can get 4 years and $35 million, and GB can only afford 2/$14 (just examples) even if he’s willing, his agent is surely going to urge him to take the bigger deal.
I love Z but cut him, restructure Preston, pick up Gary’s option or give him extension and if Mercilus wants to play for GB on one year deal at low cap hit, bring him back and then draft another pass rusher.
Almost exactly what I’ve been trying to say..except it took me 4 paragraphs to get there!
Za’Darius will be cut and re-sign with Baltimore.
This is the way.
This is stupid should get rid of Preston smith if they’re gunna cut someone
He was actually pretty good last year, probably a more willing candidate to help the cap situation, and didn’t pout after having his contract restructured.
Is there any reason for your thought here or is it all just based on “it’s stupid”?