4 Green Bay Packers who could be released in 2021

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 19: Preston Smith #91 of the Green Bay Packers warms up prior to their game against the San Francisco 49ers during the NFC Championship game at Levi's Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 19: Preston Smith #91 of the Green Bay Packers warms up prior to their game against the San Francisco 49ers during the NFC Championship game at Levi's Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 20: Tyrell Crosby #65 of the Detroit Lions blocks against Preston Smith #91 of the Green Bay Packers in the third quarter at Lambeau Field on September 20, 2020 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 20: Tyrell Crosby #65 of the Detroit Lions blocks against Preston Smith #91 of the Green Bay Packers in the third quarter at Lambeau Field on September 20, 2020 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

1. Preston Smith

The big name on this list is Preston Smith. Smith had a career-year for Green Bay in 2019 when he recorded 34 pressures and 12 sacks. Unfortunately, he only has nine pressures and 1.5 sacks through nine games this year Not exactly what Green Bay needs out of their highly paid outside linebacker.

3 overreactions from Packers victory over the Jaguars. dark. Next

The decision to move on from Smith would be made even easier if second-year pro Rashan Gary was playing better (although he did have a career game against the Jaguars), but nonetheless, here we are. Smith counts as a massive $16 million against the cap next year. Even though the Packers would have to eat half that, they could still save $8 million by releasing him. That’s certainly a decision they’ll be pondering from now until the offseason.