Green Bay Packers linebacker Preston Smith had a strong 2021. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Packers' Preston Smith looking to build off of a bounce-back season

Preston Smith had a much-improved 2021 season. Prior to 2021, Smith recorded just four sacks in 2020 after a career-high 12-sack campaign in his first season with Green Bay in 2019. As a result, there was a belief out there that he might get cut before the 2021 season, but the team gave him an option: be released or play on a smaller deal. He chose to stay hungry and take the smaller deal. 

After taking the pay cut, the seven-year veteran had a bounce-back season for defensive coordinator Joe Barry and this top 10 Packers defense in 2021. It was the definition of "betting on yourself."

Smith improved in a lot of defensive categories. He recorded nine sacks (4 in 2020), 17 QB hits (11 in 2020), nine tackles for loss (7 in 2020), 28 QB pressures (16 in 2020), five completions allowed (13 in 2020) and 16 games started (13 in 2020). What was impressive about his 2021 season was that he did this all while former Packers All-Pro edge-rusher Za'Darius Smith spent the entire year on the PUP list due to a back injury. 

Packers fans have not needed to worry about Preston Smith's availability throughout his time on Lombardi Avenue. Smith has missed one game in seven years. It came last season in Week 7 against his former team in the then-Washington Football Team, and he was awarded with a new contract extension worth $52.5M over four years. Smith was one of four new deals that GM Brian Gutekunst made with defenders (Smith, Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, De'Vondre Campbell). 

Both Smith and fellow edge-rusher Rashan Gary recorded nine or more sacks in 2020. They are going to be very important cornerstones of this defense moving forward, especially in 2022. Smith, 29, is the elder statesman of the edge-rusher group. He will help guide fifth-round pick OLB Kingsley Enagbare grow as a rookie as well as third-year OLBs Jonathan Garvin and Tipa Galeai. 

The Packers still have $17M in cap space, so it would not be surprising if they went out and signed another veteran like OLB Justin Houston or OLB Carlos Dunlap just for depth purposes. But if that doesn't happen, it is up to Preston Smith to anchor the edge for a Green Bay defense that is hoping to reach a Super Bowl in the next few seasons. All signs are pointing in the direction of him doing just that.         

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