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Za’Darius Smith changes his mind on the Baltimore Ravens

By Brendan Danaher

Sep 12, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) looks on the field during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) looks on the field during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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One of the more dominant edge rushers in the league, 29-year-old Za’darius Smith, was a free agent after being released by the Green Bay Packers. Smith was supposed to return to the East Coast but something diverted his travel plans.

Za’Darius Smith, or “Big Z” as he is affectionately called by fans of his former team, the Green Bay Packers, was released on March 14, 2022. The edge rusher, and two-time Pro Bowler, spent most of the 2021 season however was overall a dominant force on the defensive line the two seasons prior (2019-2020), starting in all 32 games logging a total of 26 sacks.

Much to the dismay of “Cheeseheads” (Packers fans), Smith was released, mostly due to impeding cap hits (they saved approximately $15 million) and Smith’s injury sidelining him for most of 2021. Smith, who was originally drafted by the Baltimore Ravens as a fourth-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, was reportedly making a return back to Baltimore.

Za’Darius Smith decides against Baltimore Ravens reunion

It was reported that Smith was signing with the Ravens on a four-year $35 million deal that could reach the amount of $50 million dollars depending on incentives.

It could be a coincidence but Smith changed his mind and it was announced that he was no longer accepting the offer from the Ravens right after former Arizona Cardinal OLB Chandler Jones and former Rams DE Von Miller signed large deals with new teams.

Smith may have believed he was being underpaid with his new contract as both Jones and Miller are set to be paid above the amount Smith was promised.

Smith is not the only player to change his mind at the last minute during this free agency period. Defensive end Randy Gregory of the Cowboys, now of the Broncos, had agreed to terms with the Cowboys but changed plans abruptly and is now in Denver.

Similarly, running back JD McKissic was set to pave new ground with the Buffalo Bills and pulled a 180-degree turn and has decided to stay in Washington.

Smith is once again at the top of the list of available free agents and several teams are in need of a monster on the edge such as Smith. Could this possibly indicate a return back to Green Bay? We’ll see but expect several suitors to line up for “Big Z.”

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