Vikings fans reading the tea leaves have evidence to suggest edge rusher Za’Darius Smith may already be preparing to be cut as a cap casualty.
Za’Darius Smith famously joined the Vikings last year with the express purpose of sticking it to his former team, the Green Bay Packers, who cut him to save money.
It looks like he may be heading for the same fate in Minnesota.
Smith looks like one of the Vikings players who could be cut and he’s certainly acting like that’s in the cards.
According to Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Smith is putting his house up for sale.
#Vikings edge rusher Za’Darius Smith appears to be preparing to sell his house in Eagan; the property is listed as “coming soon” on the real estate market.
— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) February 17, 2023
Preparing to sell a house, of course, doesn’t mean that a player is gone; there’d certainly seem to be a fit for Smith in the Vikings’ defense with Brian Flores. But they have a decision to make on him in the next month, with $5.05M of his base salary becoming guaranteed on 3/19.
— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) February 17, 2023
Za’Darius Smith’s real estate moves raise questions for Vikings fans
Smith was a Pro Bowler in 2022, logging 10 sacks in 16 games with 15 tackles for loss, 24 QB hits, five pass defenses and a forced fumble. He proved he could still play at a high level after missing most of the 2021 season in Green Bay with an injury.
However, the Vikings could save more than $12 million if they cut him. That’s a nice chunk of savings.
Would it be worth it though? Pro Bowl edges don’t grow on trees and finding a comparable player at a similar price wouldn’t exactly be easy. The Vikings gave up the third-most points in the NFL last year. They probably want to hold onto every quality defender they can.
New defensive coordinator Brian Flores has his work cut out for him, he didn’t turn down a head coaching job to become Minnesota’s DC to just accept losing one of the team’s top returning defenders. And Smith looks like he’d fit right into his scheme. The Vikings might regret letting Smith go if they were to go down that path.
Of course, as Goessling said, putting your house up for sale doesn’t mean you’re definitely leaving. Maybe Smith bought a place in a rush this time last year when he signed his deal with Minnesota and he’s looking to settle into a more permanent place.
We just don’t know.