Green Bay Packers Cut ’em or Keep ’em & Prediction: Za’Darius Smith

Prediction: The Green Bay Packers cut Za’Darius Smith

I’ll be curious to see what everyone thinks, but my guess is that many Packers fans expect the team to move on from Za’Darius Smith. It would appear that Smith feels that way as well, after posting what seemed to be a goodbye message to the fans following the Packers’ loss to San Francisco.

For Green Bay, that nearly $15.3 million in cap space that they can save by moving on from Smith will go a long way in helping their cap situation. As I mentioned previously, the salary cap is all about tradeoffs–well, that saved cap space could mean re-signing De’Vondre Campbell or Rasul Douglas or perhaps not having to cut Preston Smith.

With Gary appearing to be a bonafide star and game-changer, along with Smith’s age, the back injury, and the fact that the two parties were unable to come to an agreement last offseason, I just don’t see an extension being an option, and a restructure won’t clear enough cap space.

Edge rusher is going to be a big need for the Packers, and that in part is why I believe they find a way to hang on to Preston Smith, but for the reasons mentioned, that unfortunately, doesn’t mean they will be able to keep Za’Darius Smith.