Za'Darius Smith has agreed to terms with the Vikings on a three-year deal. Smith's contract has a base value of $42 million and can be worth up to $47 ...
Of course, the biggest question for both is health. The deal also allows the 29-year-old another shot at free agency in three seasons. The $14 million-per-year average is what Randy Gregory signed in Denver this offseason.
The Houston Texans division just got tougher thanks to Matt Ryan, and now Houston must improve their defense to stop Ryan from running up the score.
The Colts are instantly Super Bowl contenders, with Ryan also easily the best passer in the division. Za’Darius Smith has been one of the better pass rushers in NFL for the last few seasons. Surprisingly, Smith went back to his original team in the Ravens, only to initially agree on a contract but to then have talks fizzle out.
Smith will be on the same sideline as Kirk Cousins in the fall rather than lining up opposite him on the field.
After two stellar years in 2019 and 2020, which saw him record 13.5 and 12.5 sacks respectively, Smith played just two games in the 2021 campaign: the season-opening loss to New Orleans and the Packers’ lone playoff contest. However, he missed the entire 2020 season after undergoing neck surgery and played just seven games in 2021 before suffering a torn pectoral muscle that shut him down for the year. After initially appearing to agree to a 4-year, $35 million contract to return to the Baltimore Ravens, where he played prior to signing in Green Bay, Smith elected to back out, apparently with good reason.
Minnesota Vikings fans took to social media to pound their chest after the team landed two-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith.
Having backed out of a contract with the Ravens, Za'Darius Smith will be getting a lot of money from the Vikings to sack Aaron Rodgers.
Whatever it may be, you've got to find that whatever makes you tick and makes you (ticked) off. Like I said, it’s going to continue to add fuel to the fire, and I’m just going to continue to prove myself each and every year.” To help with the transition, former Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine was named assistant head coach and Mike Smith, the Packers’ outside linebackers coach the past three seasons, was hired as outside linebackers coach/pass-rush specialist. I feel like it adds fuel to the fire, and I’m going to continue to prove myself. He gave it a go in Week 1 and played 18 snaps before being shut down and ultimately having surgery. He was worth every penny those first two seasons, when he piled up 26 sacks, 60 quarterback hits and five forced fumbles.
EAGAN, Minn. — Quarterbacks around the NFC, and in the NFL, likely perked up Tuesday afternoon. Za'Darius Smith is now a member of the Minnesota Vikings, ...
"Coming into that season, I kind of felt something when I was in the weight room and it was my lower back," Smith said. "But I came back in four months, got a chance to practice for three weeks before that playoff game. Smith, meanwhile, played just 18 snaps in Green Bay's season opener with a back injury and missed the remainder of the regular season. "And it said Purple People Eaters," Smith added. "They were like these four guys right here [were] in the Pro Bowl at the time. "I got a chance yesterday to go to the museum, and they were just telling me a lot of things about a lot of history here," Smith said.
Smith joins the Vikings after he decided not to sign with the Ravens a day after the two sides agreed to terms on a deal.
Smith, who was released by the Packers earlier this offseason in an attempt to create salary cap space, had agreed to a four-year, $35 million deal with the Ravens, with a max value of $50 million. Edge rusher Za'Darius Smith has agreed to terms with the Minnesota Vikings, sources confirmed to The Athletic. The deal is for three years and worth a maximum of $47 million, according to a source. Smith joins the Vikings after he decided not to sign with the Ravens a day after the two sides agreed to terms on a deal.
Smith will reunite with Vikings Assistant Head Coach Mike Pettine, who was Green Bay's defensive coordinator from 2018-20. Minnesota's outside linebackers coach ...
Smith will reunite with Vikings Assistant Head Coach Mike Pettine, who was Green Bay's defensive coordinator from 2018-20. The combination helped Za'Darius Smith record a career-high 13.5 sacks in 2019 and 12.5 more the following season. The move adds an edge rusher to a group that has already signed nose tackle Harrison Phillips and inside linebacker Jordan Hicks as Minnesota plans to incorporate more 3-4 elements this season.
So, Smith goes from making $8.75 million a year to $14 million. And he gets to face his former team in the Packers two times a year. Smith missed nearly all of ...
Smith spent his first four seasons with the Ravens, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2015 draft. He was a Pro Bowler in 2019 and 2020, recording 13.5 sacks in 2019 and 12.5 sacks in 2020. So, Smith goes from making $8.75 million a year to $14 million.
The Minnesota Vikings have decided to add a little more pass rush to Ed Donatell's defense, and they're doing it by bringing in a face that's haunted them ...
In his first two seasons with the Packers, he had a total of 26 sacks, but was limited to just one regular season game and one playoff game with the Packers this past season because of injuries. If the Vikings do plan on employing more 3-4 looks under Ed Donatell, Za’Darius Smith is the sort of player that could fit right in on the outside and provide a lot of pass rush if he can stay on the field. The Vikings were an attractive destination for Smith because of the presence of the Vikings’ new outside linebackers coach, Mike Smith. Smith coached.
Former Packers' pass rusher Za'Darius Smith is signing a four-year, $35 million deal that has a max value of $50 million with the Baltimore Ravens, per source.
He earned back-to-back Pro Bowl bids in his first two years with the Packers after posting a combined 26 sacks, 60 quarterback hits and forced five fumbles — before a back injury limited him to just one game in 2021. In four seasons with the Ravens, he recorded 18.5 sacks, 52 quarterback hits and forced three fumbles. Soon after, reports began to surface that return of the prodigal son wasn’t quite set in stone.
After being released by the Packers, Za'Darius Smith will remain in the NFC North. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the pass rusher is signing a ...
On the lookout for a compliment to fellow 2015 draftee Danielle Hunter, Smith will represent a significant addition to Minnesota’s pass-rush department. Green Bay made it clear early in the offseason that he would only be brought back at a reduced cost. A deal seemed to be done between those two sides, which would pay the 29-year-old $35MM over four years.
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - Za'Darius Smith is staying in the NFC North. The former Packers pass rusher joins the Vikings on Tuesday, one day after visiting ...
He was at his best in 2019 and 2020, totaling 26 sacks and 74 quarterback hits. The Packers released Smith in a cost-cutting move earlier this month. But he will receive more money up front with the Vikings, and he will be reunited with his former coaches in Green Bay. Mike Pettine and Mike Smith, Za’Darius’ defensive coordinator and position coach in Green Bay, are both on the Vikings’ staff.
Smith signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Vikings on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Smith was released by the Packers in mid-March ...
The 29-year-old, who has 44.5 career sacks, has plenty of experience in a 3-4 defensive scheme. His arrival in Minnesota reunites him with Mike Smith, ...
Smith, who made the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons with the Packers, played just 18 snaps in 2021 due to a back injury. Minnesota announced Tuesday it has agreed to terms on a three-year contract with Za'Darius Smith, a veteran outside linebacker who spent the past three seasons with Green Bay. EAGAN, Minn. — One of the Vikings biggest rivals in recent seasons has agreed to join the squad.
The Packers will be playing against Za'Darius Smith twice a year now that the free agent outside linebacker has signed with the Vikings.
We want to wish Za’Darius and his family all the best moving forward.” “We want to thank Za’Darius for his contributions to the Packers over the past three seasons,” Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said in a statement after Smith's release. But the deal fell through and Smith returned to the open market last week.
Former All-Pro outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith is staying in the NFC North after agreeing to a deal with the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings desperately needed another playmaker that could do more than just rush the passer. Smith only appeared in one game last season after being sidelined with a nagging back injury. Two-time Pro Bowl linebacker and former Green Bay Packer, Za’Darius Smith, is reportedly signing with the Vikings on a three-year, $42 million deal and staying in the NFC North.
Za'Darius Smith, a two-time Pro Bowler for the Packers, is signing a three-year deal with the Vikings. He'll rejoin Mike Pettine and Mike Smith in ...
He appears to be getting more money from the Vikings. Mike Smith is the team’s new pass-rushing coach. However, Smith missed all but one game last season after needing back surgery, and Hunter is only two years removed from missing an entire season due to neck surgery.
Pass rusher Za'Darius Smith has signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
Perhaps Melvin Ingram is viewed as a starter or else Jadeveon Clowney could be called upon But the market is mostly dried up. From there, Vikes were able to convince him to sign instead of leaving for another potentially interested team. However, one day later, Smith’s side backed out after it was revealed that nothing had been signed.