Vikings Sign Former Packers Pass Rusher Za'Darius Smith
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Vikings have added a one-time rival to their pass rushing rotation.
The team announced Tuesday that linebacker Za'Darius Smith agreed to three-year deal. According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the deal was up to $47 million, per a source.
At a press conference following the announcement, Smith said that he's happy to join the Vikings and help the team become the champions of the NFC North.
"I'm going to come in and do everything that I need to do to help this team to improve and be a better football team," he said.
"I'm going to come in and do everything I need to do to help this team improve and be a better football team." - @zadariussmith pic.twitter.com/dx9Y1NRp98
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 22, 2022
The 29-year-old has 44.5 career sacks, 26 of those with the Packers. He earned 4.5 of those sacks against the Vikings.
The Packers released Smith earlier this month after three years with the team. He's a two-time Pro Bowler and was named second-team All-Pro in 2020 by the Associated Press.
Vikings Coach Kevin O'Connell said that Smith has shown a consistent ability to put pressure on quarterbacks.
"I've watched him end a lot of football games with his ability to go get the quarterback," O'Connell said.
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The Vikings will transition to using a 3-4 front primarily this season, which Smith is familiar with from his time in Green Bay and Baltimore. Outside of Danielle Hunter, the team's pass rush looked thin before signing Smith.
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is expected to give an update on the team's free agency activities during a Wednesday morning press conference.