Packers to play against Za’Darius Smith twice a year

The Smith Bros. were once a dominant pass-rush duo for the Green Bay Packers. Now, they are division rivals.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Za’Darius Smith is signing with the Minnesota Vikings, a three-year deal worth up to $47 million.

This doesn’t come as a huge surprise. Smith is reunited with former Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine and former Packers outside linebackers coach Mike Smith, who were both hired by the Vikings this offseason.

If Smith is fully healthy, this is a good move by the Vikings. Smith was a two-time Pro Bowler and a second-team All-Pro during his time in Green Bay, making 26 sacks between 2019 and 2020.

A back injury limited him to just one game in the regular season in 2021. He returned for the Packers’ divisional-round contest against the San Francisco 49ers, making one sack.

Green Bay’s offensive line will have a tough test each time it comes up against Smith and Danielle Hunter. Hopefully, David Bakhtiari will be fully healthy by Week 1 and Elgton Jenkins won’t have to miss too much time as he recovers from an ACL tear.

Smith was set to rejoin the Baltimore Ravens in free agency, but reportedly changed his mind last week and remained a free agent. Now, he finds a new home and gets a big payday from the Vikings.

It’s an interesting move for the Vikings. Are they contenders in the NFC? It still seems they are a way off the likes of the Packers, Los Angeles Rams, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but this is a lot of money to pay a pass rusher coming off a significant injury and nearing 30.

Per Over The Cap, Minnesota has little over $1 million in cap space, so will need to make some moves to clear enough cap space.

Considering how much Smith is loved by Packers fans, it will be tough watching him play in Vikings purple.