The Pro Bowl linebacker Jaylon Smith didn’t waste any time finding a new team after being released by the Dallas Cowboys earlier this week. Smith is reportedly joining the Green Bay Packers after agreeing to a one-year deal with the franchise.
According to reports, Smith had Green Bay as his preferred option, and the two sides managed to hammer out an agreement shortly after he officially became a free agent.
Smith was an untouchable starter for the Cowboys in previous seasons but has seen his playing time reduced in 2021. Dallas is well stacked at the linebacker position, having multiple Pro Bowlers and talented rookies on the roster, causing the 26-year-old to play just 148 snaps in the first four weeks.
Smith could play a more prominent role with Green Bay, providing a boost for what has been a shaky defense so far in the season. The Packers used veteran De’Vondre Campbell and second-year player Krys Barnes at the linebacker position so far in the season, but there will be room for Smith to make an impact, especially with Barnes dealing with injury issues in recent weeks. Third-year player Ty Summers and veteran Oren Burks comprise the rest of the Packers’ LB core.
Jaylon Smith, who was a second-round pick in 2016 by the Cowboys, played 68 games and started 56 of them so far in his pro career. His contributions include 515 tackles, 9.0 sacks, two interceptions, and 20 pass deflections.
