At some point, there comes a time when all Green Bay Packers players move on from the organization. Whether this be in free agency, trade, or retirement, no player’s time with any team lasts forever. When the time to move on comes, it is usually amicable between the player and organization. Even when the divorce starts off as a disappointment, players typically having nothing bad to say about the Packers after they are done playing for them.
Recent examples of this include Mason Crosby and Aaron Jones. Crosby was not re-signed following the 2022 NFL season, though he wanted to keep playing. Earlier this week, he signed a one-day contract with Green Bay to retire as a Packer, and had glowing things to say about the organization and his time there.
Jones was released by Green Bay following the 2023 season and replaced by Josh Jacobs. And even though he signed with the Minnesota Vikings in free agency, he harbors no ill will against the Packers organization.
Former Green Bay Packers Pro Bowler Za’Darius Smith Has a Grudge
All this being said, sometimes things are not amicable at all between the team and player when they decide to part ways. Such was the case between the Packers and former Pro Bowl edge rusher Za’Darius Smith. After two productive seasons in Green Bay that saw him rack up 26.0 sacks and make two Pro Bowls, Smith came down with a mysterious back injury that forced him to miss all but one game of the 2021 season.
Judging by his social media posts after the Packers released him, Smith had a real problem with not being voted a team captain by his teammates (a practice that Matt LaFleur has since abolished). He even had a gold and diamond studded captain’s chain made for himself.
Since leaving Green Bay, Smith has played for the Vikings, Cleveland Browns, and Detroit Lions. He joined this last team, Detroit, via a midseason trade from the Browns. And while it appeared he wanted to play out his contract with the Lions, he will not get the chance to do so.
They released him on Sunday.
Former Green Bay Packers Edge Rusher Za’Darius Smith Had a Fake Lions Super Bowl Ring Made
Obviously, there is no love lost between Packers fans and Smith. And when news of his release from Detroit was made public, many fans started to make fun of him for an image he posted on Instagram after the Lions were eliminated from the NFL Playoffs:
Well this is awkward https://t.co/hbzY7TR4Zw pic.twitter.com/NFmYFeTJKx
— Robin Adams (@theotherRobin19) March 9, 2025
As one can see, Smith had a fake Super Bowl ring made with his number and the Lions logo on it. Now that he is no longer a part of Detroit, one has to wonder how deep in the jewelry box he will bury it.
More Green Bay Packers News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- “Just to Get Released;” Packers Fans Rip Former Starter Who Was Cut by Current Team
- Breaking: Former Packers Starter Signs Massive 3-Year Deal
- “Soft;” Packers Fans Explode Over Massive Trade News
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