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The Green Bay Packers signed outside linebacker Preston Smith to a contract extension and released outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith and offensive lineman Billy Turner in a flurry of moves before the start of the free-agency period.
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Releasing Za'Darius Smith and Turner creates about $19 million in cap savings for the Packers, who had entered the week about $46 million over the cap. But it leaves Green Bay without two veterans who played key roles in helping the Packers win three straight NFC North titles.
Za'Darius Smith, 29, had a combined 26 sacks for the Packers from 2019-20 before a back injury caused him to play just one regular-season game and one playoff game last year. Turner, 30, made a combined 43 regular-season starts and five playoff starts during his three-year Green Bay tenure.
After spending his first four NFL seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Za'Darius Smith had 13 ½ sacks for the Packers in 2019. He had 12 ½ sacks in 2020 and earned second-team honors in the All-Pro balloting.
He dealt with back trouble last season. After playing in a season-opening loss to New Orleans, Smith didn’t get back on the field until the playoffs. Smith had a sack in the Packers’ divisional playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers and Preston Smith walk off the field after an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 17-0. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
"We want to thank Za’Darius for his contributions to the Packers over the past three seasons," general manager Brian Gutekunst said Monday in a statement. "He
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