Packers linebacker named NFC Player of Month

Green Bay Packers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for October. Campbell was a key contributor for the Packers defensively, helping them go 5-0 in the month of October.

In those five games, the six-year veteran recorded 45 total tackles, 29 of which were solo. Campbell also had two forced fumbles, two pass deflections, one sack and an interception. The two fumbles were forced against the Washington Football Team, but neither was successfully recovered by the defense. However, one was on a key 4th-and-goal stand in the third quarter, preventing Washington from scoring.

Campbell elected to sign with the Packers this offseason after spending last year with the Arizona Cardinals. Prior to that, he spent his first four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons who originally selected him in the fourth round of the 2016 draft.

NFC Players of the Month! (October)@CooperKupp | @Came_Along_Way | @blakegillikin pic.twitter.com/iHsaHMogs0

— NFL (@NFL) November 4, 2021

So far throughout the first eight games, he has 76 tackles, 50 solos, two forced fumbles, two interceptions one sack and three pass deflections.

For Green Bay, this is shaping up to be one of their best defenses in over ten years. The Packers are currently seventh in the NFL in yards allowed per game (331.8) and ninth in points allowed per contest (20.9).

Packers move on from Smith

Linebacker Jaylon Smith’s stay in Green Bay was short-lived. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the longtime Dallas Cowboys pass rusher, who signed with the Packers less than a month ago, is being released. He had previously signed a one-year, $770,000 contract with the Packers on Oct. 7.

Smith saw action in just two games in Green Bay and recorded one tackle. He played in four games for the Cowboys earlier this season with 18 tackles.

He was released from Dallas as they attempt to rebuild their defense with young stars, including first-round draft selection Micah Parsons. Smith started 16 games in Dallas in 2020.

Smith, 26, chose Green Bay in part because of his relationship with head coach Matt LaFleur. LaFleur was the quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame in 2014 while Smith was in South Bend.

Smith recorded 292 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception in 39 games for the Irish. He was a second-round draft pick in 2016 by Dallas. Smith was a likely first-round selection until he tore his ACL and MCL in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl.

With as well as Campbell has been performing this season it is understandable why the Packers moved on from Smith. And if he can continue this high-level play the Packers could finish the season with a top ten defensive ranking in points and yards. It’ll be their first time doing so since they won the Super bowl in 2010. 

On3’s Ashton Pollard contributed to this article