Packers have released Pro Bowl pass-rusher Za'Darius Smith, source said, adding another top defender to free agency. His cap number of $27.6M in 2022 was never going to work. Now, free — and healthy.

The guy couldn't stay healthy and that was a massive price tag. He constantly left games (and came back) with injuries. Tough dude, I'll miss him.

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Team leader. Keep negotiating, if Zadarius will even consider returning.

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He was great when healthy....and that's the problem. He can no longer stay healthy.

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I have a feeling some other team with cap space will sign him pretty fast. Even with his injuries pass rushers like him are coveted. Too bad we couldn't keep him.

He had one injury lol

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He's missed countless portions of numerous games because of being dinged up. How many times did we see him on the field, stay out a series or two and come back. It caught up to him and got slapped out for nearly whole regular season.

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If they could only sign one, they picked the correct Smith to sign.

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I do wonder if they are betting on the right Smith. I suspect Preston Smith came in with a cheaper contract than Za'Darius Smith would. However, Preston Smith has never really put together back-to-back solid seasons before. He seems to follow up one good to great season with a below average season. He's also 29. I'm wondering if he's peaked.

Za'Darius is an explosive pass rusher off the edge. He always seem to make big plays at the most critical junctures of a game. I don't think he got enough credit for just how much he carried the defense in 2019 and 2020. The back injury is definitely disconcerting and probably gave the Packers pause on a contract extension.

I think the biggest "miss" here is we never got to see Za'Darius Smith team with a prime Rashan Gary. The latter is clearly ready to become a double-digit sack artist while Za'Darius is already there.

Pairing the two together for next season would have given the Packers a pair of dynamic pass rushers, which is something they've lacked in my view.

I wonder if this is a missed opportunity. Time will tell.

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On the strong side, PSmith has less glamorous, more contain, ergo not as glorious of stats.
He is extremely consistent at doing his job. Very very good, but not showy. A great team player.

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Yeah....but a back injury in his position? I don't think he will be able to play well, or for long time.

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