Za’Darius Smith may not be on the Minnesota Vikings for much longer. While he had 10.0 sacks, played in 16 games, and made the Pro Bowl, he has a near $15.5 million cap hit next season. The Vikings could save over $12 million by cutting him as his dead cap hit is just $3.3 million. If Smith’s past actions with the Packers are any indication, this is exactly what may happen.
Za’Darius Smith Goes Off the Grid on Social Media
While Smith’s Twitter page is still active, the Pro Bowl edge rusher has deleted all of his Instagram posts:
Of course, Packers fans may remember the social media fiasco on Smith’s pages last season and offseason. After playing in just one regular season game (and being away from the team for most of the year), Smith sent out a series of cryptic Tweets indicating his breakup with the Packers organization.
Vikings Fans and Analysts Have Been Critical of Za’Darius Smith
The former Packers edge rusher got off to a hot start in 2022. He registered one sack in three of the Vikings’ first four games. By 10, Smith had 9.5 sacks and looked to be on an incredible pace for sack numbers. However, he disappeared down the stretch, notching just 0.5 sacks the rest of the way.
This, in addition to his poor run defense all season long, led many fans and analysts to criticize him on social media:
Paul Allen just called Za’Darius Smith’s last two months “a disappearing act” on his daily radio show.
The schadenfruede levels are high.
— Ross Uglem (@RossUglem) January 16, 2023
If my grandmother were still alive I think she could beat Za’Darius Smith off the line when the ball is snapped
— Emerson Beery (@Dynasty_Analyst) January 16, 2023
“Is Za’Darius Smith even playing today?”
– a question asked every January since 2019
— Jacob (@NotionsOfJacob) January 16, 2023
Za'Darius Smith had 0.5 sacks in the final 8 games of the season. After a fast start, he looked like a 30-year-old edge rusher who missed almost all of 2021 with a bad back.
— Michael Rodney (@PackersNotes) January 16, 2023
Za’Darius Smith today: pic.twitter.com/JwtnE9SUo4
— MJ Hurley (@mjhurleytdt) January 16, 2023
Of course, this could all be nothing. Deleting social media posts is not a contract maker or breaker. However, given Smith’s history, we can expect him to be searching for his third team in three years this offseason.
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