Packers: The Smiths fully depend on Aaron Rodgers
The Packers are $40 million over the salary cap. That limits their potential moves this offseason, including contract extensions.
If they were to extend Rodgers and decrease that number slightly, perhaps they wouldn’t have to release Za’Darius Smith and could instead work on a more team-friendly extension. Smith played in just two games last year due to injury.
Preston Smith has a better chance at a contract restructure. He can play opposite Rash Gary, who is a star in his own right, and give the Packers a solid pairing.
Za’Darius seems to know he’s on the way out, too, hence his recent social media posts.
Za’Darius has one year left on his contract, but a team in a terrible cap situation would free up more than $15 million by moving on. https://t.co/Syl2ohE9P4
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) January 23, 2022
As the post mentions, cutting Smith would free up over $15 million in its own right. Even if Rodgers is re-signed at a cheaper mark, releasing Za’Darius makes the most sense if only to bring him back on a restructured contract.