Contract extension for Preston Smith step in right direction for Packers

Preston Smith will be back with the Green Bay Packers on a new deal in 2022.

The Packers needed to make a decision on Smith’s contract due to a cap hit of around $19 million. A new deal helps the Packers reduce his cap hit this year while also rewarding Smith with a long-term contract after a bounce-back season.

Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel provided some details of the contract.

It’s a five-year extension with $53.5 million of new money, per Silverstein, and he can make $75 million in total.

The important number for the Packers this season is that Smith’s cap hit is reduced by $8 million.

Per Over The Cap, he now has a cap hit of $11.46 million for 2022. Along with the decision to release Za’Darius Smith and Billy Turner, the Packers have made some significant cap savings today.

Without Za’Darius Smith for almost the entire 2021 season, Green Bay needed Preston Smith to step up. And he did.

Smith made nine sacks and 17 quarterback hits along with two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in the regular season, while also providing leadership for the Packers’ defense. Next to breakout star Rashan Gary, the Packers had a strong pass-rush duo.

This contract extension truly is a win-win.

For Preston Smith, he gets the added long-term security of a new deal. And what a great story it is just a year after he took a pay cut to stay with the team. Now he gets paid with a big long-term deal.

For the Packers, it’s an important step in the right direction. They ensure their pass rush remains strong after moving on from Za’Darius Smith but were also able to lower Preston Smith’s cap hit for 2022.

More work is ahead for the Packers to get under the salary cap before Wednesday, but this was a big move.