Bold Packers Trade Proposal Unloads $52 Million Veteran
The Green Bay Packers are assembling a notably young team, and veterans like Preston Smith are being considered as potential trade candidates before training camp.
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report suggested several bold trade ideas for the Packers. These included two defensive additions as well as a move to trade Smith.
Ballentine offered some reasonable justifications for the trade.
Ballentine suggested that while trading Smith isn’t an urgent necessity, it could prove to be a wise financial move. This could be an optimal moment to capitalize on the veteran pass rusher’s value, especially with Lukas Van Ness, last year’s first-round pick, ready to step up.
Currently, Smith is under a four-year, $52 million extension. While he’s set to become a free agent in 2027, the Packers might consider parting ways with him earlier to alleviate the burden of his contract.
Preston Smith’s Rock-Solid NFL Career
While not a standout, Smith has consistently performed as a playmaker throughout his NFL tenure.
Before entering the professional ranks, Smith competed for four seasons with the Mississippi State Bulldogs. His collegiate journey concluded with him earning first-team All-SEC honors, recording nine sacks, 15 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
His impressive senior campaign propelled Smith to be selected in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He spent his initial four seasons with Washington, amassing 24.5 sacks and four interceptions during that period.
While not a standout, Smith has consistently performed as a playmaker throughout his NFL tenure.
Before entering the professional ranks, Smith competed for four seasons with the Mississippi State Bulldogs. His collegiate journey concluded with him earning first-team All-SEC honors, recording nine sacks, 15 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
His impressive senior campaign propelled Smith to be selected in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He spent his initial four seasons with Washington, amassing 24.5 sacks and four interceptions during that period.
Still, at 31 years old, Smith may not have many more effective years left. If the Packers want to be proactive instead of reactive, it may make sense for them to make a trade this offseason.
Lukas Van Ness Is Smith’s Successor
Whenever the Packers decide to move on from Smith, Lukas Van Ness will be ready to step in.
The Packers took Van Ness in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Iowa. He was a relatively unproven pass rusher for the Hawkeyes, but came into the draft with impressive athletic testing and a 6’5″, 272-pound frame.
Van Ness had limited playing time but managed to feature in all 17 games for the Packers, making several impactful plays including four sacks and a pass breakup. He also contributed another sack in the team’s wild card victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
Now, Packers supporters are hopeful that Van Ness will make significant progress in his second year. With the introduction of a 4-3 base defense by new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Van Ness’s physique and playing style are better suited to the system.
However, unless Smith begins to decline, Van Ness is likely to remain primarily a rotational player rather than a regular starter.
