Green Bay Packers: 3 Cap casualty candidates for 2021 offseason
By Joe Kipp
Green Bay Packers cap casualty No. 1: Preston Smith, OLB
After quickly becoming a fan favorite in 2019 as part of the “Smith Bros” duo with Za’Darius, Preston Smith‘s productivity trailed off in 2020. Smith had a career year in his first season with the Packers, notching 12 sacks and 23 quarterback hits. He took a big step back in 2020, tallying just four sacks and 11 quarterback hits.
Smith signed a four-year deal in March of 2019 and will carry a $16 million cap hit in 2021. The Packers can cut him for just $8 million in dead cap, saving $8 million on the salary cap along the way. Doing so would free up a good chunk of money while also giving way to Rashan Gary, who outplayed Smith for much of the 2020 season.
In fact, Gary’s promising play last season is a huge reason Green Bay will likely feel comfortable parting ways with Smith. Gary, the former 12th overall draft pick in 2019, logged five sacks and 11 quarterback hits in a limited role this past year.
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The only likely scenario in which the Packers retain Smith is if he agrees to a contract restructure. From a player’s standpoint, this would be extremely foolish. Because of that, expect Smith to be released at some point this offseason.