The Minnesota Vikings are hosting veteran free agent pass rusher Za’Darius Smith on a visit, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly.
The Dallas Cowboys thought they had a deal with veteran pass rusher Randy Gregory only for it to unravel over contract language as he signed a five-year, $70 million free agency pact with the Denver Broncos. Now, they have their eyes set on Smith as they push for him as a potential replacement for Gregory, per league sources. The Kansas City Chiefs have also expressed interest in the former Green Bay Packers standout.
Za’Darius Smith a proven pass rusher
During the free agency legal tampering period, the Baltimore Ravens verbally agreed to terms with Smith on a four-year deal worth $35 million with incentives that would have boosted it to $50 million, according to league sources.
The deal then fell apart after Von Miller (six years, $120 million) and Chandler Jones (three years, $51 million) signed bigger free agency contracts. That is believed to be a factor in Smith’s decision to not rejoin the Ravens, per league sources.
That decision looks to benefit the Cowboys as they make a strong push for the veteran pass rusher, who’s been in the NFL since 2015.
Smith began his career in Baltimore before signing a four-year, $66 million deal with the Green Bay Packers in 2019. He had a career-high 13.5 sacks in his first season with the Packers and followed that up with 12.5 sacks in 2020.
A back injury affected his 2021 season
Injuries limited Smith to just one game during the 2021 regular season before the Packers released him. He played 18 snaps against the New Orleans Saints in Week 1. Subsequently, he’d have back surgery for an issue that hampered him during training camp.
Healthy again, Smith is poised to regain his old form whenever he picks a new team as we head into the second week of free agency. Meanwhile, the Packers will try and fill the pass-rushing hole left behind by Smith.