Why former Packers star Za’Darius Smith took 180 on the Ravens

Here’s why former Green Bay Packers defensive back Za’Darius Smith pulled out of his deal with the Baltimore Raven in his NFL free agency.

For a minute there, it seems like before Green Bay Packers Za’Darius Smith’s defense will make his victory come back Baltimore Raven.

Smith was originally drafted out of Kentucky by Raven in 2015. He left Baltimore in freelance prior to 2019 NFL campaign. During his first two years with the Packers, Smith was a professional bowler and an All-Pro level player in the Green Bay defence. However, injuries and a major signing made him his first casualty of the season. He’s on the market on Monday.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk provided some insight into why Smith pulled out of a four-year, $35 million deal with Baltimore last week.

NFL Free Company Rumors: Why Za’Darius Smith Backs Ravens Deal

Florio reported how Smith’s signing with Raven would get him closer to $50 million based on incentives. Interestingly, Smith’s decision to withdraw came after Chandler Jones signed large sums of money with the Las Vegas Raiders and Von Miller received a large contract with the Buffalo Bills. Another contract was created shortly after.

This is where everything falls apart. Smith’s agent proposed another deal to Raven, one that Baltimore eventually delivered. What’s odd in all of this is that many people think Smith had another deal in the bag in the event this bag with Baltimore was dropped. That doesn’t seem to be the case at all. While they may be able to reach terms with Baltimore again, the money is being spent elsewhere.

It felt as if Smith and his agent had gone to great lengths to deal with the Ravens.