Preston Smith Signs Contract Extension with Packers

The win-win agreement locks up outside linebacker Preston Smith beyond the 2022 season while helping the salary cap immediately.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Preston Smith signed a contract extension with the Green Bay Packers on Monday morning, a win-win deal for the team and veteran outside linebacker.

The contract locks up Smith, who was set to enter his final season under contract, through the 2026 season. According to NFL Network and confirmed by a source, the extension is for four seasons and $52.5 million. Including the remaining year of his previous contract, the contract is worth $65 million.

At the same time, it will reduce his 2022 cap charge, which was set to be about $19.72 million, by a little more than $8 million, according to a source. That was accomplished with guaranteed money in Year 2, something the team has generally shied away from.

As was the case with his 2021 restructure, there are incentives in the deal that could push the total value beyond $70 million. For instance, in 2022, a 10-sack season would mean $1 million, a 12-sack season would mean an additional $1 million (cumulative of $2 million) and a 14-sack season would mean an additional $2 million (cumulative of $4 million).

The Packers started the day, the unofficial start of free agency, about $43.8 million over the cap. The release of fellow outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith took care of close to 55 percent of that amount.

The agreement was not unexpected. While he has been noncommittal about Za’Darius Smith, general manager Brian Gutekunst delivered a strong endorsement for Preston Smith at the Scouting Combine.

“I think when you look at that, you’re looking at some stats,” Gutekunst said of Smith going from four sacks in Washington in 2018 to 12 with Green Bay in 2019, to four in 2020 and back to nine in 2021. “If you really look at Preston, he’s been pretty consistent throughout his career. I think he’s missed one game, and that was the one he missed this year. He shows up and he’s been a playmaker throughout his career.

“I know the sack numbers have gone up and down, but if you really look at how he’s played and specifically because he’s so versatile, what we’ve asked him to do at different times, he’s a rock-solid player. He’s very unique with his versatility, which is obviously something you guys know we like quite a bit, and we’d certainly like to keep Preston around.”

Last offseason, following a season of only four sacks, there was speculation that Smith would be a cap-saving cut. Instead, the Packers and Smith agreed to an incentives-laden restructure. Smith went from four sacks to nine and, according to Pro Football Focus, 26 pressures to a career-high 62.

Of 61 edge defenders with at least 300 pass rushes, the 29-year-old ranked 10th in pressures and 12th in pass-rush win rate, according to PFF.

“I just think it comes down to being in position to make plays. That’s what it comes down to,” Smith said in January. “This year, I’ve been in a lot of positions to make plays and I’ve capitalized on those opportunities. We’ve got a lot of great guys around here who helped put me in position to make plays. I just go out there each and every week to try to do my best to produce for this team and to go out there and make plays to help this defense out and to do my best to produce for this team and help us play at a high level.”

Defensive coordinator Joe Barry held that same title in Washington in 2015, when Smith was a second-round pick. Smith had an understated role in the transition, with Barry’s undermanned defenses ranking among the worst in the NFL during stints in Washington and Detroit.

“I knew him when he was a little snot-nosed rookie when he came into this league,” Barry said. “Preston’s got incredible, God-given ability. The thing I’m probably most proud of is how hard he’s played this year. He’s really played with really maximum effort all year long. When you have a guy that has an incredible skill-set, you have a guy that is as talented as he is, and then he goes out and plays his tail off play in and play out, the end result is usually really good.”

He also emerged from Za’Darius Smith’s shadow to take on added leadership responsibilities. When the Packers were losing at home to Chicago late in the season, it was Preston Smith who delivered the halftime message.

“It puts a smile on my face when he pulls the defense up and gives them a message, which he does quite often, and then goes and backs up what he’s said and how he’s challenged the defense. He goes out and backs it up with his play,” Barry said.

Added quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whose bond with Smith tightened in 2021.

“He’s the kind of guy, when he talks, he’s respected,” Rodgers said. “Guys listen to him and guys appreciate his messages. I love Preston. I can’t say enough good things about him. The opportunity to get to play with him, to get to become better friends with him, the messages that we share with each other during the week, I just really love the guy. I think he’s a good human, he’s a great player and I love what he brings to the team from a leadership standpoint. He’s stepped into that role even more this year and I’m very, very proud of him and proud to be his friend and proud to be his teammate.”

Green Bay Packers Unrestricted Free Agents

Here is a look at the Green Bay Packers' crop of unrestricted free agents, starting with All-Pro receiver Davante Adams, who was given the franchise tag on March 8.

WR Davante Adams

Status: Franchise tagged.

Age: 29. 2021 contract: $12.25 million base salary, the final year of a four-year, $58 million extension signed late in 2017.

When Aaron Rodgers calls Adams a future Hall of Famer, he’s not kidding. Over the last six seasons, Adams ranks No. 1 among receivers with 581 receptions (31 more than DeAndre Hopkins), 7,192 receiving yards (63 more than Julio Jones) and 69 touchdowns (nine more than Mike Evans). Yes, it helps to have Rodgers throwing him the football, but it helps Rodgers to have Adams running routes and attracting attention.

The one downside is Adams will turn 30 on New Year’s Eve. Contracts should be about projected production and not past production. There’s no doubt a 30-year-old Adams will be great. But how about a 33-year-old Adams?

“Obviously, we do a lot of studies on those metrics and different things,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said before the Scouting Combine. “One of the things we look at specifically for guys who are Hall of Fame-caliber players, I think there’s a lot of production into their 30s. But, at the same time, it’s like anything, there’s risk either way.”

Given his injury-related struggles in 2015, Adams has gone from potential bust (as in blown second-round draft pick) to potential bust (as in Pro Football Hall of Fame bronze bust).

Likelihood of return: High.

WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling

Age: 27. 2021 contract: $2.183 million base salary. (After reaching playing-time thresholds, he played under the NFL’s proven-performance escalator in 2021.)

After leading the league with a 20.9-yard average and scoring a career-high six touchdowns in 2020, Valdes-Scantling turned in a strong training camp that looked like a sign of bigger and better things in 2021. Instead, injuries limited him to 11 games and he caught only 26 balls for 430 yards (16.5 average) and three scores. While his overall numbers declined, he didn’t drop any passes.

Valdes-Scantling is a premier deep threat and could be coveted by teams who need a deep threat and have money to spend. He led the NFL with six receptions of 40-plus yards in 2020; over the last three seasons, he’s tied for third in the league with seven touchdown receptions of 40-plus yards. Even in a draft class filled with athletes, it’s hard to match Valdes-Scantling’s proven combination of 6-foot-4 with 4.37 speed in the 40.

Likelihood of return: Low.

WR Equanimeous St Brown

Age: 25. 2021 contract: One-year, $850,000. (Remember, he was cut at the end of training camp last year, meaning the final season of his rookie contract was torn up.)

St. Brown was considered a top receiver prospect in 2018. He surprisingly fell into the sixth round. Turns out, the teams got that one right. St. Brown caught 21 passes as a rookie but just 16 the past three years. In 2021, he caught 9-of-17 targets for 98 yards and zero touchdowns. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers complimented him throughout the season, but words didn’t deliver passes. He was a positive contributor on special teams – a rarity on Green Bay’s inept units. He might want to get a fresh start.

Likelihood of return: Low.

TE Robert Tonyan

Age: 27. 2021 contract: $3.384 million on restricted free agent tender.

Not many players lost more money in 2021 than Tonyan. He was a breakout star in 2020 with 52 receptions for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns. Of the 34 tight ends who were targeted at least 40 times in the passing game, Tonyan was No. 1 in catch percentage (89.7), drop percentage (0.0) and passer rating (148.3), according to PFF.

In 2021, he was forced to help in protection, which curtailed his numbers. It appeared he was on his way toward breaking loose with impact games vs. Washington and Arizona but suffered a torn ACL vs. the Cardinals on Oct. 28. Maybe he’ll be available at some point in training camp. The Packers have nobody remotely close to providing Tonyan’s impact.

Likelihood of return: Moderate.

G/C Lucas Patrick

Age: 28. 2021 contract: $1.65 million base salary for 2021, the final year of a two-year, $2.795 million extension signed late in 2019.

The Packers invested five draft picks on interior blockers the past two seasons, with Jon Runyan, Jake Hanson and Simon Stepaniak in 2020 and Josh Myers and Royce Newman in 2021. Yet Patrick just keeps starting games. The past two seasons, he started 28 of a possible 33.

In 13 starts in 2021, he allowed one sack – in the finale vs. Detroit - according to Pro Football Focus. With his ability to play all three interior positions, Patrick is a key component on the offensive line. He’s a rugged, no-nonsense blocker who is appreciated by Aaron Rodgers. One key is the future of Elgton Jenkins. Do the Packers view him as a Pro Bowl guard or a Pro Bowl-caliber tackle? If Jenkins is viewed as a tackle, then Patrick, Runyan, Myers and Newman would provide four quality options for the three interior spots.

Likelihood of return: Moderate.

RT Dennis Kelly

Age: 32. 2021 contract: One-year, $1.325 million.

Kelly was a wise veteran addition at the start of training camp. A 16-game starter for the Titans in 2020, it was Kelly to the rescue when right tackle Billy Turner missed four games with a knee injury late in the 2021 season. He was excellent, a total of one sack and three pressures allowed, but got worked over by Pro Bowler Nick Bosa in the playoff game. The sack/strip of Aaron Rodgers late in the first half doomed a drive that led to a blocked field goal. You could do a lot worse than having him in reserve but the finances could get in the way.

Likelihood of return: Low.

DT Tyler Lancaster

Age: 27. 2021 contract: One-year, $1.25 million.

The Packers’ defensive line depth is almost nonexistent. Pro Bowler Kenny Clark is the standout. He was joined in the starting lineup throughout the season by Dean Lowry, who had a career-high five sacks but could be released to save $4.08 million of cap space. Kingsley Keke started eight games but was released late in the season. That leaves Lancaster, who started three games, fifth-round rookie TJ Slaton, who showed some potential in 15 snaps per game, and Jack Heflin, who barely played as an undrafted rookie. Can the Packers do better than Lancaster? Of course. But you can’t replace someone without actually having a replacement.

Likelihood of return: Moderate.

OLB Whitney Mercilus

Age: 31. 2021 contract: One-year, $1.075 million (prorated to $716,667).

A change of scenery brought the best out of the 31-year-old Mercilus until he suffered a torn biceps. In six games that included 110 pass-rushing snaps with Houston, he had two sacks and five pressures. In four games that included 80 pass-rushing snaps with Green Bay, he had one sack and 10 pressures. Of 144 edge rushers with at least Mercilus’ number of rushes, Rashan Gary was second, Preston Smith was 17th and Mercilus was 36th in PFF’s pass-rush win percentage. He’ll turn 32 before training camp.

He’d be a nice No. 3 if the Packers release Za’Darius Smith, but the Packers’ cap problems could stand in the way. If the Packers need an outside linebacker after the draft and he’s still available, perhaps this would be worth revisiting.

Likelihood of return: Low.

ILB De’Vondre Campbell

Age: 28. 2021 contract: One-year, $2 million.

So, this is what a real, honest-to-goodness, game-changing inside linebacker looks like. Somehow unemployed in June despite five solid seasons, Campbell joined the Packers on a one-year, $2 million contract. The Packers were rewarded with an All-Pro season and Campbell will be rewarded in free agency.

Even while sitting out the season finale against Detroit, Campbell finished seventh in the NFL with 145 tackles. He entered that final game with a league-leading 101 solo tackles. Of the 34 players with at least 107 tackles, Campbell and Washington’s Cole Holcomb were the only players with at least one sack, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Campbell was the only linebacker in the league with 100-plus tackles and at least two sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions. After swinging and missing on veterans like Christian Kirksey, Antonio Morrison and B.J. Goodson, the Packers got their first All-Pro linebacker since Ray Nitschke in 1966.

“Yeah, that was my whole thought process from the time I signed, just to kind of reintroduce myself,” Campbell said. “Casuals don’t really know who I am, but people who watch tape, people who know the game of football [know]. I get told week in and week out from the people I compete against, ‘You’re a hell of a player and you always have been.’ I’m just glad that people are starting to realize it. That just kind of makes me feel good. Something I’ve always known, but to hear it from other people, you always kind of need that reassurance, so that was a huge goal of mine, just kind of re-establishing myself.”

The Packers would love to have him back. Can they scrape up enough money from between the couch cushions?

Likelihood of return: Moderate.

ILB Oren Burks

Age: 27. 2021 contract: $920,000 base salary, the final year of his four-year, $3.65 million rookie deal.

In 2018, the Packers traded their fourth- and fifth-round selections to grab Burks in the third round. Oops. In four seasons, he started seven games and recorded 84 tackles. Billed as a new-age linebacker after starting his career at Vanderbilt as a safety, he didn’t break up a single pass in four seasons. In 2021, he recorded a career-high 26 tackles and finished second on the team with 10 stops on special teams.

Likelihood of return: Low.

CB Rasul Douglas

Age: 26. 2021 contract: One-year, $770,000 (prorated to $661,111).

When Jaire Alexander went down with a shoulder injury against Pittsburgh in Week 4, it could have been a fatal blow. And it would have been fatal if the Packers had been forced to rely on Kevin King or Isaac Yiadom. Instead, in one of the great practice-squad raidings in NFL history, Gutekunst found Douglas toiling in Arizona.

Having failed to make rosters in Las Vegas and Houston during training camp, Douglas saved Green Bay’s season. In merely 12 games with nine starts, Douglas tied for fourth in the NFL with five interceptions. That equaled Douglas’ total from his first four NFL seasons. Two were returned for touchdowns and two saved victories over Arizona and Cleveland. Of 88 corners with 50 percent playing time, he allowed a seventh-ranked completion rate of 52.2 percent. He also was perhaps the best player on special teams.

“Of course,” he said about returning to the Packers with a long-term contract. “I built a family here. I’ve still got some unfinished business, I feel like, to handle. Of course, I want to be here. But I don’t think that’s all my decision to make.” The Packers would love to have him back but he probably priced himself out of Green Bay.

Likelihood of return: Low.

CB Chandon Sullivan

Age: 25. 2021 contract: One-year, $2.133 million on restricted free agent tender.

If the Packers can’t afford Rasul Douglas, then Sullivan would be a budget-friendly third piece to join Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes in the defensive backfield. Even if the Packers can afford Douglas, Sullivan would be a quality depth piece.

Starting 10 games for a second consecutive season, Sullivan intercepted a career-high three passes. Of 28 defensive backs to play at least 200 coverage snaps in the slot, Sullivan ranked third with 13.4 snaps per reception and eighth with 1.02 yards per coverage snap, according to PFF. Are there better slot defenders? Yes. But you could do worse, too, and Shemar Jean-Charles’ rookie training camp was not promising.

Likelihood of return: Moderate.

CB Kevin King

Age: 26. 2021 contract: One-year, $5 million.

Gutekunst re-signed King in free agency last offseason to serve as an insurance policy just in case he couldn’t find a starting cornerback in the draft. He did with Stokes, then struck gold with Rasul Douglas.

King started his first six games – shockingly, he missed five games due to injuries in a six-game span – then barely played down the stretch once the team settled on Stokes, Douglas and Sullivan as its best trio.

King played in 51 of 81 games in five seasons. After picking off five passes and breaking up 15 in 2019, he had one interception and eight passes defensed in 21 games the last two years. Presumably, that will close the book on the team’s first pick of the 2017 draft other than his lingering cap hits ($750,000 per year through 2025) and the painful reminders every time T.J. Watt sacks the quarterback.

Likelihood of return: Almost zero.

P Corey Bojorquez.

Age: 25. 2021 contract: One-year, $1.02 million.

Acquired at the end of training camp, Bojorquez ranked among the league’s top punters until the wheels came off in a Week 12 game against Chicago. Still, his 40.0-yard net average was 3.0 yards better than JK Scott’s mark from 2020. He’s got a lot of ability – he had the NFL’s longest punt each of the past two seasons. With added consistency, he could be a major weapon. Will he ever be a reliable holder, though? Having entered the NFL in 2018, it’s fair to wonder whether he’ll ever consistently maximize his talent.

Likelihood of return: Moderate.

Restricted Free Agent: WR Allen Lazard

Lazard is the team's only restricted free agent. He is coming off a season in which he set career highs in receptions (40), yards (513) and touchdowns (eight). Other than a couple blips on the radar, coach Matt LaFleur’s beloved “goon” caught the ball well, fought for every yard and blocked his butt off. Not many explosive runs didn’t involve Lazard.

Over the last five games of this past season, his six touchdown receptions were tied for second-most in the league. Not the most fleet of foot, his constant blocking allows him to catch defenders by surprise on deep passes. Green Bay has gone 11-2 when he scored. The second-round restricted free-agent tender will cost $3.986 million.