The Green Bay Packers' defense was one of the better units at getting to the quarterback last season, with their 45 sacks tied for eighth.
It was a team effort, with only one player recording more than five sacks on the year (Rashan Gary, with 7.5). As impressive as this was, finishing inside the top 10 in sacks without a top-tier pass-rusher is difficult to replicate. It also required creativity from defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, whose defense failed to win with four rushers frequently enough.
Ideally, the Packers would acquire an elite defender to help maintain their impressive sack total while providing more consistency.
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The only problem? No available veteran fits that description. They missed out on the top pass-rushers in free agency. Khalil Mack re-signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, while the likes of Josh Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo, Dante Fowler, and Joey Bosa signed elsewhere.
Green Bay could go to the last resort by bringing in someone who could help boost their pass-rushing group's talent floor. He is also a familiar face.
The pass-rusher? Former Pro Bowler Za'Darius Smith.
Packers should do the unthinkable and bring back pass-rusher Za'Darius Smith
It would require the two sides to rebuild their relationship after an ugly breakup in 2021. Smith spoke about getting revenge on the Packers after beating them with the Detroit Lions last season. A reunion is improbable, but Green Bay needs the pass-rush help.
Smith split last season with the Cleveland Browns and Lions, recording nine sacks in 17 games played, more than any Packers defender.
Since leaving Green Bay, Smith has recorded 24.5 sacks in three seasons, an impressive 8.5 sacks-per-season average that proves that his output is no fluke.
No one will confuse Smith for his former self or even as one of the league's best pass-rushers. However, he should still be able to provide a level of production at a price point that won't break the bank.
This is a combination contending teams always look for, and the Packers should jump at the opportunity to sign Smith before any other team beats them to it.
They would need to mend the fence and rebuild their relationship, but there's no doubting the impact Smith could have.