Packers: 3 Cap Casualties who can alter 2021 NFL Draft plans
By Mark Sipos
3. Preston Smith, EDGE
The final option on this list has been the most talked-about release for the Packers while also making the most sense.
After Preston Smith signed with Green Bay in 2019, he went on to have a great season, posting 12 sacks and 23 quarterback hits. Paired with Za’Darius Smith, the Packers had one of the best pass-rushing duos in the league. While Za’Darius Smith put up good numbers yet again, Preston Smith’s numbers fell off of a cliff, only being able to collect four sacks and 11 quarterback hits. Cutting P. Smith from his contract would save the Packers roughly $7.34 million according to Over The Cap. Green Bay even has his replacement already on the roster, as former 2019 first-round pick Rashan Gary took the next step in his career, posting five sacks and 11 quarterback hits in 356 fewer snaps than Preston Smith. Seems to an easy choice, right? Well, apparently not.
Going back to that article by Matt Schneidman of the Athletic, here is what General Manager Brian Gutekunst had to say about Preston Smith’s future with the team:
"“We’re looking at our entire team, the contracts to try to put the best team out there in ’21,” Gutekunst said. “Preston’s played a lot of really good football for us, and certainly we’d like to have him back next year. He’s under contract, so we certainly expect him to be back.”"
Add into the fact that Smith has played for newly hired defensive coordinator Joe Berry in Washington, and the decision whether to move on from Smith or not is truly up in the air. While Green Bay doesn’t necessarily need to cut Smith in order to get under the salary cap, cutting him would certainly allow Green Bay to make some moves to improve other areas of need. Green Bay shouldn’t have any trouble finding an EDGE in this year’s NFL Draft, as there are many viable options throughout. Some names that stand out in the middle of the draft are UAB’s Jordan Smith, Miami’s Quincey Roche, and Tulane’s Patrick Johnson.
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Combining all three of these releases in addition to restructuring both Aaron Rodgers and Za’Darius Smith would take Green Bay from -$11.45 million in cap space to about $20.9 million, which is more than a $30 million difference. With needs at cornerback, right offensive tackle, and wide receiver, Green Bay will have the room it needs to make a splash once again in free agency.