NFL Rumors: Green Bay Packers Spend Big Money On Pass Rushers, Sign Chicago Bears' Starter

Preston Smith Packers Redskins — Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers is sacked for a safety by defensive end Preston Smith #94 of the Washington Redskins in the first quarter during the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at FedExField on January 10, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. Patrick Smith/Getty Images

The Green Bay Packers missed the 2018 NFL playoffs, failing to reach the postseason for the second straight year. The organization is looking to make sure that doesn’t happen again in 2019 by addressing their needs in free agency.

According to the latest reports, Green Bay has been very active on the day before teams can officially sign free agents. The Packers have reportedly landed pass rushers Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith. Both players are 26 years old.

Preston Smith had played all four of his NFL seasons with the Washington Redskins. He hasn’t missed a game since being drafted in the second round of the 2015 draft. Smith has 24.5 career sacks and he totaled a person-best 53 tackles last season.

Za’Darius Smith was selected 84 picks after the Preston Smith in the 2015 draft by the Baltimore Ravens. Za’Darius Smith had a career-high 8.5 sacks with the Ravens in 2018.

The Packers have reportedly also signed safety Adrian Amos, who was a fifth-round pick in 2015. Amos had 73 tackles and two interceptions for the Chicago Bears in 2018.

The #Packers are signing LB Preston Smith to a 4-year deal worth a base value of $52M, source said. He gets $16M to sign. He gets $27.5M over the first two years.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2019

Za'Darius Smith's deal with the Packers will come in over $16M a year. No way the Ravens were going to devote $33M a year to keeping him and Mosley at this point.
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 12, 2019

The #Packers are signing former #Bears S Adrian Amos to a 4-year deal worth $37M, source said. He gets $21M in the first two years.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2019

Packers are releasing Nick Perry after agreeing to terms Preston Smith and ZaDarius Smith. Was set to make $11M this season. Will b e a market for him for sure. Young enough and is healthy after battling injuries in 2018
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 12, 2019

Green Bay ranked 18th in total defense and 22nd in points allowed last year. The Packers were tied for eighth with 44 sacks, but they were 28th in opponents’ passer rating.

The Packers will have a new full-time head coach in 2019 for the first time in over a decade. Green Bay hired Matt LaFleur to take over for Mike McCarthy, who was fired mid-season after spending nearly 13 seasons as the Packers’ head coach.

Aaron Rodgers missed most of the 2017 season and had a down year in 2018 as Green Bay missed the playoffs. The quarterback had led the Packers to the postseason each year from 2009-2016.

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