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3 players Packers were right to move on from this offseason

ByBrian Sampson|
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 23: Za'Darius Smith #55 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after making a play in the second quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 23, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 23: Za'Darius Smith #55 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after making a play in the second quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 23, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
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Green Bay Packers
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 19: Outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith #55 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after winning 24-16 over the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field on December 19, 2020 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Players Packers were right to move on from: Za’Darius Smith

Za’Darius Smith had a brief, albeit wonderful, tenure in Green Bay that only lasted three years and 33 games. The Packers signed him to a major contract in 2019 and brought him in alongside Adrian Amos, Preston Smith and Billy Turner. Unfortunately, circumstances led to Smith and the Packers needing to separate.

Shortly after signing Smith, Green Bay used their top draft pick on edge rusher Rashan Gary. Gary was a raw product coming out of Michigan, but someone who had all the physical tools necessary to succeed in the NFL.

With Smith missing the entire 2021 season with a mysterious back injury, Gary capitalized on that opportunity and blossomed into a full-time player with star potential. Smith had a huge cap hit on the books for 2022 and will be 30-years-old soon with a scary back injury. He may have another good season or two in him, but the red flags were quickly adding up.

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