Packers put the pen to the paper: Sign four key free agent players

The Packers made it official on Thursday by signing their four free agent pickups. The first being LB Za’Darius Smith. He signed a 4-yr-$66M deal with a $20M signing bonus. His four year deal equates to roughly $16.5M per year ($34.5 in the first two). Smith will bring toughness to a LB core that has lacked it the past few seasons. He will also bring consistent effort at OLB, something that has been missing at linebacker for Green Bay.

Next was LB Preston Smith. He signed a 4-yr $52M deal. On a per-year basis, he’ll earn about $13M. He brings depth and power to a lackluster Green Bay LB core. Along with Za’Darius Smith, Preston will bring stability at linebacker as well. Pass rush ability is a huge plus as well from both Preston & Za’Darius. Both of them were signed most likely due to Nick Perry getting released as well as Clay Matthews becoming a free agent.

Next to sign was S Adrian Amos. He signed a 4-yr $37M deal. He’ll get $21M within the first two years & get a yearly salary of $9.2M. This was a great move by Gutekunst as the safety group in Green Bay was very slim after both Haha Clinton-Dix & Morgan Burnett left the team. Amos adds quickness & physicality to a safety group desperately in need of it. This was an excellent signing that addressed yet another key position of need for Green Bay.

The final signing came in the form of versatile tackle/guard Billy Turner. He was signed to a 4-yr $28M deal with $11M coming in the first year and $7M on a yearly basis. The team has not yet specified on what position he will be playing in 2019, but he is versatile enough to play both guard and tackle for Green Bay. Turner also brings depth to an offensive line that has had problems with consistency over the past few seasons. Turner will not only bring depth to the position but will also give Green Bay versatility along the offensive line.

Overall, these were very good signings at positions of need for Green Bay. They are expected to spend around $4M to sign their draft picks. GM Brian Gutekunst has begun to build a great team, now it’s a matter of putting that team out on the field to showcase its abilities. All players signed were 27 years old or younger which is great as Green Bay is wanting to get younger overall as a team. I have a feeling that this year is going to be a very good year for first-year head coach Matt LaFleur as well as his newest acquisitions via free agency. Time will tell, but all things are pointing onward and upward for this team. Next up comes the draft where more talent at positions of need could possibly be found. I along with plenty of other people am looking forward to seeing how it all plays out come September.

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