As the NFL offseason heats up, one of the most pressing issues for teams across the league is managing their salary caps. The Green Bay Packers, a franchise known for its methodical approach to roster management, are no different. With the 2024 season approaching, the Packers are in a precarious position when it comes to handling the future of one of their star players—an $84 million Pro Bowler whose future with the team is now in serious question. This player’s high salary and diminishing return make him an increasingly likely candidate for a roster cut, rather than a trade, in the near future.
In this blog post, we’ll break down the situation, why the Packers are likely to cut rather than trade their star, and what the future holds for both the team and this talented player.
### The Background: A Pro Bowler’s Decline
The player in question is none other than edge rusher *Zadarius Smith*, who has been a cornerstone of the Packers’ defense since joining the team in 2019. Smith has been a standout player, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and establishing himself as one of the premier pass rushers in the NFL. However, in recent years, injuries and inconsistent play have begun to mar his once-dominant presence.
Smith’s contract is a significant part of the Packers’ financial picture. He is due to earn a whopping $84 million over the course of his deal, which runs through 2025. As one of the highest-paid players on the team, Smith’s cap hit is considerable, especially for a team that already has to contend with salary cap issues. However, his play in the past few seasons, marked by injuries and a drop in production, has made his future with the Packers increasingly uncertain.
### The Salary Cap Quandary
In the world of professional football, managing the salary cap is one of the most important aspects of roster construction. For teams like the Packers, who prefer to build through the draft and avoid relying on large free-agent signings, cap space is often at a premium. This creates difficult decisions when it comes to retaining or parting ways with high-priced players who no longer perform at an elite level.
The Packers currently find themselves in a situation where they need to make cuts or restructure contracts in order to create cap space. Smith’s contract—while once seen as a necessary investment for a star pass rusher—has become a financial burden. He carries a significant cap hit, and his diminishing productivity, combined with a series of injuries that have hindered his ability to stay on the field, makes his contract even less attractive.
The Packers are already facing challenges in creating enough cap space to make moves for other areas of the roster. Their offensive line could use some attention, and they may need to bring in reinforcements at wide receiver and in the secondary. With limited funds available, Green Bay simply cannot afford to keep a player who is no longer performing at a Pro Bowl level.
### The Declining Trade Value
In an ideal scenario, the Packers would be able to trade Smith to a team in need of an elite pass rusher. A trade would allow the Packers to recoup some value in exchange for the player and clear cap space while potentially finding a suitor willing to take on his large contract. Unfortunately, this scenario seems unlikely for a few reasons.
First, Smith’s production has dipped in recent years. After recording 26 sacks over the first two seasons of his contract, his sack total dropped dramatically in 2022 and 2023. His injury history, which has kept him out of games in consecutive seasons, further lowers his trade value. NFL teams are unlikely to give up assets for a player who is seen as more of a liability than an asset at this point, especially with the hefty contract that comes attached to him.
Second, in today’s NFL, most teams are reluctant to take on large contracts for players who are no longer at the peak of their powers. As the league has become increasingly focused on building young, inexpensive rosters with a focus on the draft, teams are less willing to take on aging players with massive salaries unless they are absolutely certain that the player can still perform at a high level. With Smith, his recent production and injury concerns create enough question marks that any potential suitor would be hesitant to trade for him, especially with that $84 million commitment hanging over the deal.
### Cutting Smith: The Likely Scenario
Given the lack of trade interest and Smith’s decline in both play and health, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the Packers will likely have to cut him, rather than trade him, to clear up valuable cap space. While this decision would be tough for the franchise and its fans, it may ultimately be the most logical and financially responsible course of action.
Cutting Smith would not come without its own financial repercussions, but it could open up necessary flexibility for the Packers to make moves in other areas. The Packers have the opportunity to reset their defensive front and create space for younger players to step into more prominent roles. At this stage, cutting Smith would provide an opportunity for the team to reinvest that money into positions of greater need or potential, such as the defensive line or improving the depth of their secondary.
Additionally, cutting Smith would allow the Packers to further embrace their rebuild, focusing on players who fit into their long-term vision and are capable of contributing on a more consistent basis. With the team already in transition, particularly with the departure of long-time quarterback Aaron Rodgers, it makes sense for Green Bay to allocate its resources toward younger, cost-controlled players who can help develop the next phase of Packers football.
### The Legacy of Zadarious Smith in Green Bay
Should the Packers ultimately decide to part ways with Smith, it will mark the end of a highly successful chapter in his career with the team. Smith was a crucial part of the Packers’ defensive resurgence over the past few years, providing a pass rush that was vital to the team’s success during its NFC Championship runs in 2020 and 2021.
However, the writing appears to be on the wall. Smith’s injuries and declining play make him expendable in a salary-cap-conscious environment. The Packers, while appreciative of what he brought to the table during his prime years, will need to make the tough decision to move on for the sake of financial flexibility and long-term team building.
For Smith, it may be time to seek a new home. While his career with the Packers may be coming to an end, there are still teams in need of pass-rushing help that could potentially give him a fresh start. However, whether he can recapture his Pro Bowl form will depend on his ability to stay healthy and regain his former explosiveness.
### Conclusion
As the Packers continue to navigate their salary cap and roster decisions, the future of Zadarius Smith is one of the most significant topics of conversation. While it’s possible that the Packers could explore trade options, the reality is that Smith’s declining production and large salary make him a likely candidate to be cut, rather than traded. In the world of the NFL, business decisions often trump sentimentality, and while Smith’s contributions to the Packers were invaluable at his peak, the time has come for both parties to move on. The Packers will likely free up cap space and focus on building a roster that can compete in the coming seasons. As for Smith, his next chapter in the NFL remains uncertain, but his story in Green Bay seems poised to come to an end.