A day after his release from the Cowboys, linebacker Jaylon Smith has reached a deal with the Green Bay Packers, according to NFL Media and reports.
As a vested veteran, Smith immediately became a free agent Wednesday and negotiations with the Packers moved quickly. Green Bay clearly was looking for linebacker help with starter Za'Darius Smith currently on Reserve/Injured.
Smith led the Cowboys in tackles the last two seasons, but his playing time dropped considerably this season in a deep linebacker rotation featuring Leighton Vander Esch, rookie Micah Parsons and free agent signing Keanu Neal.
Finances also likely factored into Smith's release from the Cowboys. Smith is still guaranteed $7.2 million in base salary despite moving on from Dallas, but he reportedly would have received roughly $9 million in guaranteed money next year in the event of injury.
