3 Packers starters fighting for their job in training camp

2. Preston Smith, OLB

Preston Smith was one of the Packers premier free agency signings of the 2019 league year. He came alongside Za’Darius Smith to fix their pass rushing woes. Smith impressed in his very first season, as he tallied career-highs in combined tackles (56) and sacks (12). It looked like the Packers had their pass rushers set.

Last season, however, Smith’s production took a hit. Through all 16 games, Smith tallied 42 combined tackles and just four sacks, a mere third of the sack total of what he put up the campaign prior.

At the conclusion of the season, there was talk of Smith being a potential cut candidate so the Packers could free up cap space. However, the team reached an agreement with the outside linebacker to restructure his deal, freeing up $7.25 million in cap space as a result. While Smith will be on the roster this season, he may very well lose out on some starting time.

The team still has 2019 first-round selection Rashan Gary on the roster, who put up five sacks in 13 games (five starts). If Gary proves he is the better option off the edge, he very well could be placed in the starting lineup ahead of Smith.