“Meet at the quarterback,” Za’Darius Smith tweeted, quoting the original Purple People Eaters before the news broke that the Minnesota Vikings signed him. The former Green Bay Packers linebacker is now in purple, and there is reason to be excited.
Vikings Twitter erupted with rumors while the contract was being ironed out. Smith himself was stirring the pot. But why was he giving so much fanfare before the contract was a done deal?
It’s simple: He really wanted to play here.
Both Smith and Danielle Hunter came out of the 2015 draft. And now that the Vikings are in a 3-4, they will be playing opposite each other on the defense. They were also both Pro Bowlers in 2019 and got more acquainted at the game in Orlando.
In 2019, Smith had 16 sacks, and Hunter had 15. They were the third- and eighth-best defenders, respectively, per PFF. Now they are going to wreak havoc together, and Smith is excited about it.
Smith recently said that Hunter told him they could end up on the same team someday at the Pro Bowl. “He actually signed a jersey, and it has that on the jersey,” Smith continued. “So yeah, big shout out to Danielle Hunter, man. I’m happy to be here to get a chance to play with him.”
Even better? Smith said Hunter convinced him to come to Minnesota in his presser, essentially putting any rumors of Hunter being unhappy with the organization to rest. Now they are working on an extension to keep Hunter around even longer.
Smith also had connections to Mike Smith and Mike Pettine, two recent Packers coaches the Vikings hired this offseason. It was reported that part of the reason he backed out of the Baltimore Ravens deal was unfamiliarity with the new staff. That’s not a problem in Minnesota now that his pass-rush specialist and defensive coordinator are on the Vikings coaching staff.
Another reason for taking the Minnesota contract over Baltimore? It was more money — but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad deal for the Vikings.
Smith is averaging $14 million per year, good for 19th in the league for edge defenders (tied with Robert Quinn). Only $9.5 million is guaranteed, and there’s an out after this season if the team decides they want to move on.
Most of the money on Smith’s contract is incentive-based, which is great for both parties. The out in the contract after this coming season is also leverage for the team if he doesn’t perform. That doesn’t mean they’ll move on, but it means that he could remain in Minnesota for an affordable price if he does have a great season. Smith can earn a competitive contract with good performances.
The most significant factor with this contract is that Smith is betting on his health. The talent is certainly there. It’s good news that he’s confident, though, because health is a concern, as it is with Hunter.
Last season Smith missed nearly the whole season with a back injury (sound familiar?), but he said he’s feeling 100% in his introductory press conference. He passed all the physicals and has his eyes on the two Packers games this year. There’s the hope that he can overcome his injuries and be the player he was when he made the Pro Bowl in 2019.
