Ex-Packer Za’Darius Smith visits Vikings
FILE - Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) plays against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Dec. 13, 2020. The Green Bay Packers signed outside linebacker Preston Smith to a contract extension and released outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith and offensive lineman Billy Turner in a flurry of moves before the start of the free-agency period. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Former Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith was in the Twin Cities on Monday to visit with the Minnesota Vikings.
Smith was released by Green Bay earlier this month as the team cleared salary cap space.
The 29-year-old has spent the past three seasons with the Packers after playing his first four NFL seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. In 91 career games, he’s totaled 219 tackles, 44.5 sacks and 8 forced fumbles.
Minnesota is shifting to a 3-4 base defense under new Head Coach Kevin O’Connell and Defensive Coordinator Ed Donatell, and could pair Smith with star edge rusher Danielle Hunter. Since Hunter and Smith entered the league in 2015, they’ve notched 105 sacks, collectively.
The Vikings have already added two new players to the defense in free agency in Harrison Phillips and Jordan Hicks.
The team may also target additional reinforcements in the NFL Draft, which starts on April 28.