Green Bay Packers eying former Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith

The Green Bay Packers could be the landing spot for former Dallas Cowboys Linebacker Jaylon Smith, who was shockingly released on Tuesday.

“Keep an eye on the #Packers for former #Cowboys Pro Bowl LB Jaylon Smith, sources say,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted. “They are making a push. Coach Matt LaFleur was at Notre Dame with Smith and is a fan. Multiple teams are still in the mix, as well, and it’s not over yet.”

Jaylon Smith’s release from the Cowboys came as a surprise due to his contract. The Cowboys re-signed Smith to a five-year, $64 million extension in August 2019. Jaylon Smith is owed $7.2 million for the rest of the 2021 season, and had $50.75 million left on his deal.

Green Bay’s inside linebacker depth is shallow behind starters De’Vondre Campbell and Krys Barnes. Campbell has been effective in his first season with the Packers, leading the team with 40 tackles. For the Packers, signing Jaylon Smith would serve as a low-risk move that could pay off if Smith can push to start alongside Campbell. Worst case, Smith as a rotational player behind Campbell and Barnes. Barnes notably was out last week with a concussion he suffered against the 49ers and returned as a full participant to practice on Wednesday.

Jaylon Smith was drafted by the Cowboys with the 34th overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft, fully understanding that he would miss his entire rookie season. Smith returned to the field in 2017, and though he has been a starter, and even captain, for the Cowboys in his career, he has never been able to return to the level of play he displayed at Notre Dame. 

In his career, Jaylon Smith recorded 516 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles and two interceptions. Still just 26, Smith was a Pro Bowl selection in 2019. 

On Wednesday, the Packers added immediate help in the secondary, following Jaire Alexander’s shoulder injury in the form of veteran cornerback Rasul Douglas.

“The Packers have signed CB Rasul Douglas off the #Cardinals’ practice squad,” tweeted Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal. “He played three years in Philadelphia and one year in Carolina, appearing in 60 games with 29 starts. He’s 6-2, 209 pounds.”

Douglas was a pivot move for the Packers, who many believed were the front-runners for Stephon Gilmore when it was announced he would be released. However, those dreams were crushed when the Carolina Panthers struck a trade for the former Patriots cornerback before his release became official.