The Green Bay Packers have signed former Illinois star linebacker Jaylon Smith. If he is another De’Vondre Campbell, then the Packers just got better.
The nfl is the National Football League. If Jaylon Smith is another De’Vondre Campbell, then Packers’ D got better.
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN (AP) — The Green Bay Packers’ last unemployed inside linebacker couldn’t have turned out any better. Jaylon Smith will be a success if he can even come close to improving their defense as much as De’Vondre Campbell has.
On Thursday, two days after being released by the Dallas Cowboys, the Packers reached a deal to sign Smith.
Campbell was signed by the Packers four months ago, towards the conclusion of their offseason program.
With an interception, a fumble recovery, and 40 tackles, Campbell has started every game this season and has been one of the Packers’ greatest playmakers on defense.
• Rams’ Ramsey establishes unique role • Seahawks’ OC wants connection with Wilson • Smith could benefit from a change of location • During the streak, the Elliott-Pollard combination is flourishing • Murray is running less and throwing more.
It’s possible that the space next to Campbell will become Smith’s. Krys Barnes, a second-year pro, held the position until he sustained a concussion against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3. Joe Barry, the defensive coordinator, has alternated Oren Burks and Ty Summers at that position since then.
Barnes may return this week, while Smith is unlikely to be ready for Sunday’s game against the Bengals (1 p.m. ET, Fox). However, if Smith can adjust to Barry’s system, which emphasizes inside linebacker play, he might be a significant improvement.
When questioned about the prospect of the Packers acquiring Smith, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers stated, “I like him as a person, and he’s a very pleasant, joyful guy, even on the field.”
“He’s a tough opponent, yet he constantly smiles.” So I like that about him, and the discussion after the game was more of a polite competitor-to-competitor exchange. I haven’t heard if anything has been done yet, but I believe that whenever a team adds a veteran player, there’s a chance that a guy who has previously played football at a high level will get an opportunity, and sometimes all it takes is a change in environment for some of those guys to play their best football.”
Smith’s lack of speed, particularly when compared to Campbell, may, nevertheless, be a limiting factor. Maybe Barry can mask Smith’s flaws, but even though he’s just 26, he doesn’t seem to be the same player he was earlier in his career.
The Packers are ready to provide that chance for Jaylon Smith, who may only need a change of environment to fulfill his full potential. Roger Steinman/Associated Press
In addition to a drop in performance, the Cowboys’ decision was influenced by financial/salary-cap constraints. If Smith had been hurt this season, the Cowboys would have been responsible for his $9.2 million salary for the next season. As it stands, Dallas is liable for the rest of his $7.2 million basic pay for this season, allowing the Packers to acquire him for a low price.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur, like Campbell before him, has some personal experience with Smith. In 2014, LaFleur was the quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame, while Smith was a member of the Fighting Irish. LaFleur previously worked with Campbell in 2016 when both were with the Atlanta Falcons, LaFleur as the quarterbacks coach and Campbell as a rookie.
However, LaFleur had departed Notre Dame before Smith suffered a devastating knee injury in his last collegiate game, an ailment that held him out of the NFL for his entire rookie season in 2016. He made his professional debut in 2017 and has appeared in every game since.
When the Packers were prepared to face the Cowboys in 2019, LaFleur remarked, “It’s been a pretty amazing tale having knowing Jaylon.” “I’ve always admired him as a person, and it’s inspiring to watch someone overcome hardship like he did when many people told him he’d never play [again].”
If Jaylon Smith is another De’Vondre Campbell, then Packers’ D got better. The de’vondre campbell is a defensive back for the Green Bay Packers who was drafted in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
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