Fansided

3 fatal mistakes Packers made this season, and how they can fix them moving forward

By Jakob Ashlin

Nov 13, 2022; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks (13) reacts in the fourth quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2022; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks (13) reacts in the fourth quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 13, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith (55) and Detroit Lions tight end Jesse James (83) during the game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Mistakes the Packers made in 2022: Releasing Za’Darius Smith

In March, the Packers released Smith to open up $15.3 million in cap space. Smith struggled with injuries in 2021, and he appeared in only one game.

Smith has made a huge impact for the Vikings. In 14 games, he has 10.0 sacks and 34 pressures. He would have further elevated the Packers’ defense, which is 15th in the NFL in pass rush win rate (41 percent). Keeping Smith would have been costly, especially with Rashan Gary and Preston Smith already on the roster. Regardless, they cannot let elite players walk away for nothing. At the moment, the Packers still have $7.6 million in estimated cap space remaining for 2022. They could have also saved up to $6.85 million by releasing Mason Crosby and trading Marcedes Lewis.

In the future, the Packers need to prioritize retaining top-level talent.

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