After coming to the Packers as a free agent in 2019 Preston Smith made an immediate impact, logging 12 sacks and 55 quarterback pressures during his first year in Green Bay. In 2020, after such a phenomenal first year, he was expected to pick up right where he left off as one half of the most feared pass rushing duo in the NFL. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned.
Last season, Preston Smith’s numbers plummeted. He notched only four sacks and 26 quarterback pressures in 2020, which (thanks to his large cap hit) left the Packers with two options coming into the 2021 season: cut Smith from the team entirely or restructure his contract and make him earn the majority of the 16 million dollars he was due. Fortunately, for those of us who would hate to see “The Smith Bro’s” dismantled after just two seasons, the Packers chose to keep him in town.
In March, the two sides were able to come to an agreement, slashing his expected 16 million dollar guarantee in half – freeing up around 8 million dollars of desperately needed cap space in the process. Although the restructure was necessary for the Packers coming into the 2021 season due to the salary cap decrease, it may also serve as the kick in the pants Preston Smith needed to return to his 2019 form.
Last week as optional OTA’s kicked off, there were reports stating that Smith looked “noticeably slimmer” then he did at the start of camp last season. When asked about Smith’s physique, outside linebackers coach Mike Smith attributed it to a long offseason of hard work.
“He does look a lot leaner than he did coming in last training camp.” Coach Smith told members of the media.
“Those guys know how I feel about training. To me, that’s the edge and that’s the secret. Guys get tired, and you get into the fourth quarter, they’re eventually going to give up. The better shape we’re in, we can go all game, and it’s better for us. Those guys know. So, I’m sure Preston is training his butt off, which you can tell [he was] when he came in.”
Obviously, Preston had to be hungry this offseason. Having your pay cut in half due to a lack of production should be enough to motivate any high caliber professional athlete. But Preston Smith also has another motivation coming into the 2021 season, one that takes the form of 4.4 million dollars in sack based incentive bonuses.
In his restructured deal Smith has the opportunity to earn an additional $500,000 bonus if he records six sacks; an additional $750,000 if he logs eight sacks; $750,000 more for reaching 10 sacks; another $1.2 million if he records 12 sacks; and another $1.2 million if he totals 14 sacks.
The reports of Preston coming into OTA’s in good shape are exciting. When he is playing at a high level the Packers defense transforms into one of the leagues best, and life becomes much easier for everyone on that side of the ball. If he can get back to playing like we all know he is capable of, the Packers pass rush will be amongst the most dominate in the entire NFL.
One thing we know for sure is, Preston Smith is certainly incentivized to have a bounce back season for the ages.
The Weekly Cheese 