Za’Darius Smith will have his chance to avenge the Green Bay Packers in 2022, agreeing to terms on a three-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings (per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport). CBS Sports NFL insider Jason La Canfora confirms the deal is worth a base value of $ 42 million and up to $ 47 million with incentive.
Smith received an average annual salary of $ 14 million per season, bringing him to 20. He received the same average annual salary as Randy Gregory, who received a five-year, $ 70 million deal in the first week of free agency.
The Baltimore Ravens thought they had a meeting with Smith last week, apparently agreeing to terms on a four-year $ 35 million deal that had a maximum value of $ 50 million. Smith withdrew from the deal and opened his free agency days later.
When Smith visited the Vikings, wide receiver Adam Thielen sent his recruiting field to get him to Minnesota.
Smith played in a regular season last season due to a neck injury, but is back in time for the postseason and picked up a bag. He was tied for third in the league with 26 sacks from the 2019 and 2020 seasons, the last two full seasons he has played.
Smith’s last full season was in 2020, when he finished with 52 tackles, 23 quarterback hits, 12.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles. He also had 51 pressure and 36 runs.
The Vikings have a formidable edge rushing combination with Smith and Danielle Hunter, part of defensive coordinator Ed Donatell’s strategy to build unity.
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