Rival Pass Rusher Heads to Minnesota. For a Chat.
Dustin Baker
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What was once a rumor has taken next steps into a tangible discussion, as former Green Bay Packers EDGE rusher Za’Darius Smith is reportedly heading to Minnesota for a chat about joining the Vikings.
Smith has already caused an uproar of offseason news, reportedly signing with his old team, the Baltimore Ravens, but changing his mind last week. The events emulated Anthony Barr’s famous change of heart during the 2019 offseason when the Vikings linebacker reneged signing with the New York Jets at the last minute. Randy Gregory did it, too, to the Dallas Cowboys a few days ago.
If signed, Smith would pair wonderfully with EDGE rusher Danielle Hunter, who the team decided to retain for the 2022 season. Hunter’s contract is not a good one for an NFL star, so his camp and the Vikings management reportedly navigated his contractual future last week. In the end, at least for now, Hunter will return to the Vikings.
Smith, a two-time Pro Bowler, was a menace versus the Vikings in 2019 and 2020 as a member of the Packers. He missed almost all of 2021 due to injury but is still commanding attention in free agency.
When healthy in 2019 and 2020 with the Packers, Smith ranked third in the NFL for sacks (26.0), tying Aaron Donald. T.J. Watt and Shaquil Barrett were the only two men to sack quarterbacks more in those two seasons
By the numbers, this is Smith’s Pro Football Focus grade history:
- 2015 = 58.3
- 2016 = 54.1
- 2017 = 60.5
- 2018 = 71.0
- 2019 = 90.2
- 2020 = 76.7
- 2021 = n/a
Interestingly, for the Vikings to create cap space for Smith, new general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah would likely have to convert Hunter’s salary to bonus — or ask a different veteran to restructure. However, wiggling money around on Hunter’s deal would probably be agreeable for the LSU alumnus if it meant pairing with Smith in September.
Because Smith missed most of 2021, his price tag shouldn’t be as high as, for example, Chandler Jones, who joined the Las Vegas Raiders last week. Jones fetched about $14.5 million per season.
Smith, a 4th-Round pick from the 2015 NFL Draft, is 29 years old and is well-versed with the NFC North.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. His YouTube Channel, VikesNow, debuts in March 2022. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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