Za’Darius Smith made headlines last week when he initially agreed to sign with the Baltimore Ravens before backing out of the deal. Now, the former Green Bay Packer is staying nearby and signing with an NFC North rival instead.
Smith and the Minnesota Vikings agreed to a three-year, $42 million deal worth up to $47 million on Tuesday. This comes after the linebacker spurned the Ravens’ four-year, $35 million offer. Clearly, he knew there was more money out there and he was right.
Let’s Go💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾 https://t.co/tYho5czqKe
— Za'Darius Smith (@zadariussmith) March 22, 2022
It’s a hefty raise for the two-time Pro Bowler, who was making $8.75 million a year with the Packers before bolting for free agency. He also gets to play Green Bay twice a year to let them know what he thinks of them letting him go.
While Smith missed much of the 2021 NFL season due to a back injury, he did return in time for Green Bay’s playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers. In his two previous Pro Bowl seasons, he recorded 13.5 and 12.5 sacks, respectively. Smith spent four seasons with the Ravens prior to his time in Green Bay. Za’Darius was drafted by Baltimore in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
The news of Smith signing with the Vikings certainly got a lot of NFL people talking on social media.
The Vikings ranked 2nd in the NFL in sacks during 2021 with Danielle Hunter missing 59% of all games.
Now, Hunter returns to meet at the quarterback with Za'Darius Smith. Sky should be the limit inside a brand new 3-4 defense.
— Dustin Baker (@DustBaker) March 22, 2022
No Za'darius Smith for Cowboys
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) March 22, 2022
Packers and Bears fans selling themselves on how Za'Darius Smith isn't actually a good signing, you simply love to see it pic.twitter.com/WuHebrg35Q
— Luke Braun (@LukeBraunNFL) March 22, 2022
Za’Darius Smith is just another name in the long lineage of former Packers to go to Minnesota and not win anything. pic.twitter.com/xWW0Ag2qan
— Ryan Sjoberg (@Ryan_Sjoberg) March 22, 2022
Za'Darius Smith does get a better deal with the Vikings after backing out on an agreement with the Ravens last week.
With the Vikings, Smith will earn an average $14M per year (3 years, $42M).
With the Ravens, Smith would've made an average of $8.75M per season (4 years, $35M). https://t.co/9BDAAqMgZD
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) March 22, 2022
As if games between the Packers and Vikings needed any further dramatic storylines…
