April 4, 2025
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers pulled off a reunion Friday, signing veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith to a two-year, $18 million contract with $9 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The three-time Pro Bowler, who starred for Green Bay from 2019-2021 before a detour through Minnesota, Cleveland, and Detroit, returns to bolster a pass rush that’s been stuck in neutral.
Smith’s first Packers stint was electric: 26 sacks, 70 quarterback hits, and 86 tackles across 34 games, earning Pro Bowl nods in 2019 (13.5 sacks) and 2020 (12.5 sacks), plus an All-Pro Second Team in 2020 (NFL.com). A back injury derailed his 2021 season—he played just one game—leading to his release in 2022 to shed a $27.6 million cap hit. Since then, he’s been a nomad: 10 sacks with the Vikings in 2022, 5.5 with the Browns in 2023, and a 2024 split between Cleveland (5 sacks) and Detroit (4 sacks in 8 games). At 32, his 9 sacks last year prove he’s still a force.
This reunion isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a calculated fix. The Packers’ pass rush ranked 17th in the NFL in 2024, a glaring weak spot after losing TJ Slaton to Cincinnati (ESPN). Smith’s return slots him opposite Rashan Gary, who logged a projected 9 sacks last year, forming a duo that could terrorize quarterbacks in Jeff Hafley’s 4-3 scheme. His 70 career sacks and relentless motor bring veteran savvy to a line leaning on young guns like Lukas Van Ness.
The deal—$9 million annually—fits Green Bay’s $47 million cap post-Josh Jacobs’ restructure (Over The Cap), leaving GM Brian Gutekunst room to maneuver. Smith’s quick first step and power off the edge (84.2 PFF pass-rush grade in 2023) address a unit that struggled to pressure without help from the secondary. Pairing him with Gary, who’s still ascending, could push the Packers’ sack total past 40—a mark they’ve missed since 2019, Smith’s peak year.
Beyond stats, Smith’s leadership—he mentored younger linemen in his first stint—could stabilize a defense adjusting to Hafley’s system. With the NFC North up for grabs and Green Bay eyeing a Super Bowl, this move signals intent. Smith’s not the 2019 dynamo, but his savvy and production could be the edge that tilts the title chase.
