The Green Bay Packers will have to make some very important decisions about the roster once training camp ends. Green Bay has a very young team and they feel like they can contend for the long haul.
Some players are currently projected to start for the Green Bay Packers this season, but some may not finish the 2024 season as starters with this team. One of the biggest things to watch for during training camp is how will the new 4-3 defensive scheme help the defense compared to the old 3-4 scheme.
This new scheme will help some of the players and it may not help some others. It will not take overnight to fix, but it has the potential to do some damage.
Pro Football Network Thinks That the Green Bay Packers Could Move On From Defensive End Preston Smith At Some Point This Season
For now, Preston Smith is projected to be one of the starting defensive ends on the Green Bay Packers roster this season. Rashan Gary is projected to be the other starter at defensive end for Green Bay.
On the Packers depth chart, Smith is ahead of second-year player Lukas Van Ness for now. What would happen if Van Ness outperformed Preston Smith in training camp? It would force the Green Bay Packers to make a move.
Pro Football Network’s Anthony DiBona thinks that Green Bay could very well move off of the former second-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft at some point this season. DiBona said about Preston Smith:
“After signing Rashan Gary to a massive contract extension, the Green Bay Packers could look to move on from Preston Smith this season. The Packers selected Lukas Van Ness with the No. 13 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, as he could potentially replace Smith moving forward.
Although Smith has enjoyed plenty of success in Green Bay, the 32-year-old pass rusher could be on the move. If the Packers were to trade Smith this season, they would potentially save a total of $37.5 million.”
According to Spotrac, he will not become a free agent until after the 2026 season. If he were to be with the Green Bay Packers this whole time, it would cost a lot of money to have him on the 53-man roster. Lukas Van Ness at some point is going to take over for Preston Smith.
Smith last season recorded 48 tackles, eight sacks, two forced fumbles, and four pass deflections. He will be a good trade piece for another team that needs a veteran pass rusher at the trade deadline or even before the 2024 season begins.