Preston Smith contract details: Veteran LB does Packers a cap favor

The Green Bay Packers have extended edge rusher Preston Smith to help free up cap space.

Preston Smith has agreed to a four-year extension to stay with the Green Bay Packers long-term.

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, it is a four-year deal worth $52.5 million in new money. He will be garnering at least $65 million over the next five years with a shot at making $71 million in total. $14 million of that will be coming in year one of the contract.

While one Smith brother sticks around, Za’Darius Smith was not so lucky, as he was released shortly after the announcement of this extension. This was totally expected.

Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel pointed out the big key with the Smith extension is the Packers save $8 million on the salary cap for 2022. He was slated to make $19.7 million this season.

Preston Smith contract details: How much do Green Bay Packers save?

Green Bay is still in the worst spot when it comes to the 2022 NFL salary. The Packers are one of nine teams still in the red, as they have to free up over $25.6 million in additional salary before the new league year starts on Wednesday afternoon.

While cutting Za’Darius Smith was expected, extending Preston Smith gives the Packers a chance to participate in NFL free agency, whether they want to or not. Green Bay typically prefers to build its roster through the NFL Draft, but has recently been more willing to dip into free agency. Of course, they have to figure out a long-term deal for Davante Adams over the next few months.

Though losing one Smith brother is tough, keeping another around for a while is a good thing here.