Packers, LB Jaylon Smith Finalizing Deal
5:09pm: This may not be a done deal just yet. While the Packers are in discussions, Smith has not informed them of a commitment, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com tweets. Other teams are still pursuing the sixth-year veteran, though Demovsky adds the Packers are the favorites. Still, Smith is believed to want to play in Green Bay, Rapoport adds (on Twitter). That may still be where this is headed, but the process is not finished.
4:32pm: After news of the Packers’ interest in Jaylon Smith surfaced, it appears the linebacker is planning to head to Wisconsin. The Packers and Smith are finalizing a contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
The Giants and Eagles may have had Smith on their radars, according to Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, but the former Cowboys defender is expected to land in Green Bay (Twitter link). Smith and Matt LaFleur were both at Notre Dame in 2014, when the former was a sophomore and the latter the Fighting Irish’s quarterbacks coach. LaFleur remains high on the linebacker.
The Packers did win a bit of a bidding war for Smith, but with the Cowboys paying most of his 2021 salary, Rapoport notes this amount to more of a recruiting battle (Twitter link). After spending time in the northern Midwest in college, Smith will head back to Big Ten country. The Cowboys are on the hook for Smith’s $7.2MM 2021 base salary. Despite losing ex-Packer Blake Martinez for the season, the Giants are not believed to have expressed strong interest, Dan Duggan of The Athletic tweets.
Smith made the Pro Bowl in 2019, and his 154 tackles last season finished behind only the Texans’ Zach Cunningham. Still in his age-26 season, Smith has graded as a top-15 linebacker this year, per Pro Football Focus, and should be set to see extensive time on Green Bay’s defense. The Packers have seen mid-offseason addition De’Vondre Campbell deliver thus far; the ex-Falcons and Cardinals starter is averaging 10 tackles per game. Green Bay will have another 2016 draftee join him soon. Campbell went in the 2016 fourth round; Smith — due only to the severe foot injury he suffered in that year’s Fiesta Bowl — lasted until Round 2.
Dallas ended Smith’s five-plus-season tenure Tuesday night, doing so after having added three linebackers — first-rounder Micah Parsons, fourth-rounder Jabril Cox and UFA Keanu Neal — this offseason. Smith played 56% of the Cowboys’ defensive snaps thus far this season, which represents a significant downgrade from his full-time work over the past four years. Leading a linebacking corps that housed injury-prone cogs Leighton Vander Esch and Sean Lee, Smith has not missed a game since his 2016 injury-redshirt year of sorts.
Packers Pursuing LB Jaylon Smith
One of the league’s Super Bowl contenders is going after Jaylon Smith. While other suitors are believed to be in the mix, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes the Packers are making a push to sign the former Cowboys linebacker (Twitter link).
Matt LaFleur spent a season at Notre Dame during Smith’s tenure, his 2014 sophomore slate, and remains high on the accomplished defender. The Cowboys released Smith on Tuesday night. LaFleur coached the Fighting Irish’s QBs in 2014.
Green Bay has not been especially high on making splashy moves at its off-ball linebacker spots, but the team has turned to the midlevel free agent market multiple times in the past two years. The Packers signed Christian Kirksey in 2020 and, after releasing him this year, added De’Vondre Campbell.
Despite coming into the league in 2016, Smith is still just 26 and grades as Pro Football Focus’ No. 13 off-ball linebacker through four games. It would certainly add up if multiple teams made strong efforts to sign him. Green Bay holds just more than $7MM in cap space, which ranks 12th in the NFL.
Campbell has proven effective for the Packers thus far, having made 40 tackles in four games and intercepting a pass. He grades as PFF’s No. 4 overall linebacker, though we are still without too large of a sample size. Green Bay also has second-year man Krys Barnes on its defensive second level. Barnes missed Week 4 with a concussion.
Smith spent the past four seasons as a Cowboys starter. Despite a severe foot injury sustained in his final Notre Dame game, the former second-round pick has not missed an NFL game since sitting out his rookie season. Smith produced three straight 120-plus-tackle seasons in Dallas, topping out at 154 in 2020. That total ranked second in the NFL. Dallas, however, hired a new defensive coordinator and changed up its linebacking personnel by drafting Micah Parsons in the first round and signing Keanu Neal. This led to Smith becoming a marquee in-season free agent.
Packers’ Jaire Alexander Suffers Shoulder Injury
Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander is believed to have suffered an AC joint injury in his shoulder (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo). He’ll know for sure on Monday, but that wouldn’t be a terrible outcome considering he was carted off the field. 
Alexander was forced out in the third quarter after colliding with Steelers running back Najee Harris. The Packers went on to win 27-17, advancing to 3-1 on the year.
Alexander, the 18th-overall pick in the 2018 draft, earned All-Rookie team honors and showcased his skills throughout his first two pro seasons. He started earning some league-wide recognition in 2020, including a Pro Bowl nod and second-team All-Pro nod. The 24-year-old ultimately finished the campaign with 51 tackles, 13 passes defended, one interception, one sack, and one forced fumble in 15 starts. He also came up big during the postseason, snagging a pair of interceptions in two games.
Through four games this year, Alexander has 13 tackles and one interception. It may be a while before he can add to those totals, but the early prognosis indicates that it won’t be a season-ender.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/2/21
Here is Saturday’s batch of minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from IR: LB Dennis Gardeck
- Promoted: S Chris Banjo, OL Eric Smith
Buffalo Bills
- Promoted: CB Cam Lewis
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: S Kenny Robinson, RB Rodney Smith
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from IR: WR Malik Turner
- Promoted: DT Austin Faoliu, DT Justin Hamilton, RB Nick Ralston, TE Jeremy Sprinkle
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: LB Curtis Robinson, OL Austin Schlottmann
Detroit Lions
- Promoted: K Ryan Santoso
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from IR: WR Equanimeous St. Brown
- Placed on IR: WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (story)
Houston Texans
- Promoted: QB Jeff Driskel, DB A.J. Moore, LB Hardy Nickerson
- Activated from IR: K Ka’imi Fairbairn
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted: DB Dicaprio Bootle
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from IR: LB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
- Promoted: RB Buddy Howell, LB Justin Lawler
- Waived: S J.R. Reed
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: C Cameron Tom
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: G Dakota Dozier, CB Parry Nickerson
New Orleans Saints
- Promoted: C Will Clapp, T Jordan Mills, WR Kenny Stills
New York Giants
- Promoted: C Jonotthan Harrison
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: S Ashtyn Davis, S Sharrod Neasman
- Promoted: OL Isaiah Williams
- Waived: RB Josh Adams
Philadelphia Eagles
- Activated from IR: OL Jack Driscoll, CB Josiah Scott
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted: OT Chaz Green, WR Cody White
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted: DL Maurice Hurst
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: WR Cody Thompson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: CB Pierre Desir, TE Codey McElroy, CB Rashard Robinson
- Waived: DL Khalil Davis
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted: DL Amani Bledsoe, FB Tory Carter
Packers Expected To Place Marquez Valdes-Scantling On IR
Already set to be without their top deep threat in Week 4, the Packers are likely to see their receiving corps miss a key weapon beyond Sunday.
They are expected to place Marquez Valdes-Scantling on IR, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets, with Sports Talk 790’s Aaron Wilson indicating earlier Friday this was in play (Twitter link). This would shelve the veteran wide receiver for at least three games. MVS is dealing with a hamstring injury; the Packers had previously ruled him out for Sunday.
An IR stay would not only be Valdes-Scantling’s first extended absence; Sunday will mark his first missed game as a pro. The Packers do have more options than they did last season, though offseason additions Randall Cobb and Amari Rodgers are primarily slot players. The team still has Allen Lazard, who should expected to see a bigger role alongside Davante Adams over the next few weeks.
A former fifth-round pick, Valdes-Scantling broke through in 2020 by leading the NFL in yards per catch (among qualified targets) with a 20.9-yard average. Valdes-Scantling, however, has been a key part of Green Bay’s receiving corps since his rookie season. The 6-foot-4 pass catcher amassed 690 receiving yards in 2020 and has six receptions for 76 yards this year.
Aaron Rodgers and MVS failed to connect on a few deep throws through two games but were on the same page in San Francisco, when the reigning MVP found his No. 2 receiver on a 47-yard strike and later located him for a touchdown. The contract-year wideout will see his recent momentum interrupted.
Za’Darius Smith Undergoes Back Surgery
The Packers will be without their top pass rusher for longer than expected. Za’Darius Smith underwent back surgery this week, according to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter).
While the Packers obviously hope this is not a season-ending situation, Smith’s timetable has been pushed back considerably. It will certainly be a while before the veteran outside linebacker suits up again. Smith, who suffered this back injury several weeks ago, remains on IR.
When the Packers placed Smith on IR after he aggravated his injury in Week 1, the team hoped the minimum three-week absence would be required here. But a late-season return is now expected, Rapoport adds (Twitter link). Green Bay is uniquely equipped to handle such an injury, with 2019 first-rounder Rashan Gary residing as the team’s third edge rusher. Gary and Preston Smith are operating as the Packers’ edge starters, though their pass rush is weakened without the two-time Pro Bowler.
This malady has dogged Smith since before training camp. The seventh-year rusher began camp on Green Bay’s active/NFI list but suffered a setback shortly after returning in early August. Smith, 29, managed to return for Week 1 but played just 18 snaps against the Saints. This looms as a key year for the late-blooming edge, whose 2022 Packers status is up in the air.
The Packers adjusted Smith’s contract this offseason, and the former Raven was not too pleased due to the team restructuring the deal but not paying Smith upfront. The Packers have since paid Smith the $10MM due from his base-to-bonus restructure, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes. The team’s latest adjustment notwithstanding, Smith is still set to see his cap number spike from $14.6MM this year to a presumably untenable $28.1MM in 2022. Smith’s contract expires after the 2022 season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/28/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted: CB Antonio Hamilton
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted: LB Josh Bynes
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Brandon Williams
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: C Sam Tecklenburg
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: QB Brett Rypien
- Placed on IR: LB Jonas Griffith
Green Bay Packers
- Signed off Colts’ practice squad: TE Tyler Davis
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DL Tyler Lancaster
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on IR: LB Justin Hollins
New York Jets
- Waived: S Saquan Hampton
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on IR: S K’Von Wallace
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted: OLB Derrek Tuszka
- Waived: LB Jamir Jones
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: DT Robert Nkemdiche
- Waived: QB Jake Luton
Packers Down Another Left Tackle
- The Packers are likely to be severely shorthanded on their O-line in San Francisco. Elgton Jenkins, who has filled in for PUP list-stationed David Bakhtiari at left tackle, is doubtful to face the 49ers because of an ankle issue. Green Bay will likely be forced to use its third left tackle option against the 49ers, who feature Nick Bosa as their primary blindside rusher. The Packers signed Dennis Kelly this offseason, giving them a potential option at right tackle in the event they slide right-side starter Billy Turner to left tackle.
49ers HC Confirms Team’s Past Interest In QB Aaron Rodgers
The 49ers were consistently connected to Aaron Rodgers during the early parts of the quarterback’s standoff with the Packers. Today, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged that his team had reached out to the Packers about a potential trade.
“I thought it’d be a quick no,” Shanahan told (via Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk). “Which was exactly what I thought it would be. But you hear enough stuff and I think everyone knew what was going on at that time that it didn’t seem like it [wasn’t] worth the call, but I know how we would’ve felt if it was going to happen and we didn’t call. So, you call, you get a quick answer which what was what you’re expecting and then you move on.”
We previously heard that the 49ers were on Rodgers’ wish list, and the Packers even accused the 49ers of tampering after the team reached out directly to the QB. In other words, it’s not a huge surprise that the 49ers had approached the Packers about a trade, but Shanahan’s confirmation is a nice touch.
Ultimately, the 49ers decided to go in a different direction, as they went all in on a trade for third-overall pick Trey Lance. Jimmy Garoppolo remains the starter in San Francisco, but the team will eventually hand over the reigns to the North Dakota State product.
Shanahan will get a front row seat to ‘what could have been’ this weekend, as the 49ers take on Rodgers and the Packers on Sunday evening.
Jets LB B.J. Goodson To Retire
B.J. Goodson‘s Jets stay will end up being brief. The team announced Wednesday the veteran linebacker intends to retire. Goodson signed with the Jets last week.
The former Giants, Packers and Browns starter made his debut for the Jets in Week 2, seeing action on seven special teams plays in the team’s loss to the Patriots. But Goodson no longer intends to continue his sixth NFL season. The Jets placed the 28-year-old off-ball linebacker on their reserve/retired list.
A fourth-round pick out of Clemson in 2016, Goodson became a starter for the Giants in his second season. He made 20 starts with the team but was traded to the Packers before the 2019 season. Green Bay used Goodson as a first-stringer frequently during his lone season with the team, deploying him as a nine-game starter during a 13-3 campaign.
The Browns signed Goodson last year and plugged him into their starting lineup immediately. He made a career-high 91 tackles and intercepted two passes, helping Cleveland snap its lengthy playoff drought. Goodson did miss two games after contracting COVID-19 late last season, however. He returned to start in both Browns playoff games, making 16 tackles.
Pro Football Focus graded Goodson as an upper-echelon coverage linebacker in 2020, and the Jets signed him to a deal worth up to $2.1MM. Goodson made 251 tackles and intercepted four passes in his five-plus-year career.