GREEN BAY, Wisconsin. — Preston Smith helped prolong his career with the Green Bay Packers and the team gained much-needed headroom when they agreed on a new contract on Monday.
Meanwhile, Za’Darius Smith, a pass rusher who signed with Green Bay in the same 2019 free agent class as Preston Smith, ended his time with the Packers on Monday as he was released, the team announced.
Preston Smith, who has one year and $12.5 million left on his existing deal, has signed a four-year, $52.5 million extension, a source told ESPN. Smith will earn $25 million over the next two seasons with an opportunity to earn $31 million through promotions. The whole deal could net Smith up to $71 million over five seasons if he gets all the promotions.
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The release of Za’Darius Smith saved the Packers $15.75 million in salary caps.
The Packers announced the renewal of Preston Smith but did not disclose the terms.
“We’re excited to have Preston continue his career with the Packers,” said general manager Brian Gutekunst. “Since he moved to Green Bay, he has not only contributed to the production on the field, but also had a great presence in the dressing room and was the leader of this team.”
Preston Smith was expected to make $19.5 million this year. Prior to Smith’s deal, the Packers were $45.5 million over the salary cap, which is expected to lower his salary cap by about $8-9 million. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ contract extension, when completed, will also lower the Packers’ caps.
The team announced that the Packers had also released forward Billy Turner. The move will save them $3.142 million immediately, or $5.8 million if they give it a release after June 1st.
The Packers are due to close by 4:00 pm ET on Wednesday when 2022 begins.
Last season, Preston Smith teamed up with Rashan Gary to form a strong pass rush duo, while Za’Darius Smith missed most of the year with a back injury. Preston Smith was given a pay cut last offseason after a subpar 2021 season but returned with nine sacks.
He has 49.5 sacks in seven seasons and only missed one game. He originally signed a four-year, $52 million contract with the Packers in 2019.
Za’Darius Smith, who appeared in the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons with the Packers (2019 and 2020) and was a second-team All-Pro in 2020, played just 18 snaps last year in the regular season. Everyone came in the season opener before he had back surgery. He did not return until the NFC Divisional Playoff game in a loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
In the final off-season, he tried to secure a contract extension with the Packers, even switching agents in May. However, he dealt with a back injury that kept him out of training during the off-season and most of training camp.
Za’Darius Smith was the most expensive free agent ever signed by Gutekunst, who signed him to a four-year, $66 million contract. He lived up to it from the start, hitting the most sacks (26) by a player in his first two seasons with the Packers. He was one of three NFL players with over 12 sacks in 2019 and 2020, joining Aaron Donald and TJ Watt.
“We want to thank Za’Darius for his contributions to the Packers over the past three seasons,” Gutekunst said in a statement. “He came in and had a direct impact on this football team, helping the team win three division titles in a row. We want to wish Za’Darius and his family all the best in moving forward.”
Also currently on the Packers baseball cap is receiver Davante Adams’ $20.145 million franchise. Neither the Packers nor Adams want him to play under that tag this season. This would not provide Adams with long-term security and the team would have a hard time dealing with their cap. While there has been little progress in the talks, Gutekunst said the use of the tag is “more of a bridge to future expansion.” They will have until 4:00 pm ET on July 15 to develop an extension.