5 players the Packers were right to move on from in 2022

Za’Darius Smith, EDGE

Za’Darius Smith had a fantastic first two seasons in Green Bay, making the Pro Bowl in both. However, with a huge cap hit set for 2022, the Packers had two choices.

One was to give Smith a new deal; the other was to release him and move on.

The latter was the right move.

Smith only featured in one regular season game last year due to a back injury. He returned in time for the playoffs, where he made one sack but had a limited role.

If fully healthy, there’s a chance Smith gets back to his Pro Bowl best with the Minnesota Vikings. He joins former Packers outside linebackers coach Mike Smith in Minnesota.

However, by giving Smith a three-year, $42 million deal, the Vikings are banking on that happening.

Coming off a serious injury and entering his age-30 season, giving Smith a big contract would’ve been a risk for a Packers team with limited salary cap room.

While Smith could get back to his best if he can stay healthy — and for a division rival — the Packers made the right call to move on and get younger at the position.

In Rashan Gary and Preston Smith, they have a strong starting duo. They then drafted Kingsley Enagbare in the fifth round.