It will not be difficult for the Green Bay packers to sell Za’Darius Smith, a Pro Bowl player, on a possible contract extension.
In an unexpected tweet on Wednesday, Smith said, “I want to be a package for life !!”
The message created instant speculation about the likelihood of a contract extension for Smith, which could keep him in Green Bay after 2022 (when his current transaction expires) and help the Packers get out of their current ceiling hole. salary.
According to Over the Cap, developing an extension with Smith could generate savings of up to $ 12.4 million over the 2021 salary cap.
Signed as the top free agent in 2019, Smith has produced 26 sacks, 60 defender shots, 29 loss attacks and five forced kicks with the Packers in the last two seasons. He is the second of all NFL players in quarterback shots and the third in sacks in 2019.
Pro Bowler in each of the last two years, Smith is still only 28 years old and is at the peak of his career.
Smith is set to raise $ 22 million against the Packers ceiling in 2021. An extension could drastically reduce his ceiling number, helping the Packers comply with the $ 182.5 million salary cap by the start of the new year. league. Packers currently have over $ 9.4 million over the ceiling.
Smith, who produced the most sacks in his first two seasons with the Packers in team history, has a $ 5 million bonus due on the third day of the league’s new year.
Even if an extension isn’t underway, the Packers could convert a portion of Smith’s $ 10,750,000 base salary and $ 5 million bonus into a signing bonus, freeing up maximum space in 2021, but adding more money to the Packers cover in 2022.