The Green Bay Packers are at least considering the idea of trading veteran off linebacker Preston Smith. According to Albert Breer of MMQB.com, Smith’s name has been circulating in trade talks for the past few weeks.
Here are some thoughts on the Packers trying to trade Smith:
– It will be a difficult sale for the Packers to get a team to take over Smith’s contract, especially after such a sharp regression in 2020. He is to receive $ 12 million in 2021, including a $ 4 million bonus due on the third day of the new league year.
– Again, if there is a team that believes that Smith’s 2020 season was an anomaly and, in a way, it was, his contract is not so prohibitive. If traded, it would count $ 12 million on the ceiling in 2021 and $ 12.5 million in 2022. And the team could easily exit the transaction after 2021 if it didn’t work.
– Transactions are always unlikely, and the transaction is probably a little less likely in this off-season, with the lowering of the ceiling. Maybe teams without capacity issues will find the buyer’s market. Or maybe the teams will just wait for the teams with the hat, knowing that they will have to reduce the players. It takes a single team to pull the trigger on an exchange for Smith, but it won’t be surprising if the teams end up waiting for the Packers to cut him.
– Transactions are not completed until the start of the new league year, so dealing with Smith would not help the Packers solve their short-term cap problem. It would provide flexibility in the free agency, but a transaction would not help the Packers get under the maximum limit or sign free internal agents before the new league year. The team has to sell around $ 12 million.
– The Packers would eventually steal $ 8 million by trading Smith. The deal would provide some value – probably in the draft capital, or maybe a player – for his loss and a $ 8 million hit.
– There are two deadlines to follow. Will the Packers release Smith before the league begins on March 17? If not, can the Packers change Smith before his bonus is released on March 19?
– The transition from Smith has always felt to be the most likely outcome, given its cost on the ceiling, the 2020 regression and the emergence of Rashan Gary. If the packages can go below the limit before the start of the new year of the league, Smith trading becomes a really attractive option. But again, it takes two for tango.
– Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst seemed committed to Smith returning in 2021, but at best it was half approval. These trade rumors confirm that the Packers are exploring all options. Would the Packers really consider having Smith back in his current shot ($ 16 million), especially if it’s based on the fact that Gary is a much bigger part of the defense? Doubtful.
– Which teams need space and cover? Browns, Jets, Colts, Patriots, Jaguars, Broncos, Ravens and Bengals could make sense as a trading partner.
– The Giants were also seen as a serious competitor to Smith during the free agency in 2019. They might be interested in sending a selection to Green Bay to get him this time.