Za'Darius Smith returns to Ravens as Green Bay make salary space

The Baltimore Ravens are reuniting with versatile edge rusher Za’Darius Smith, making another high-profile signing on defense.

Stats PerformUpdate: Mar 17th, 2022 12:01 EDT

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Za’Darius Smith is returning to the Baltimore Ravens after three seasons away from the team that drafted him.

Released by the Green Bay Packers in a move to create salary cap space, Smith is re-joining the Ravens on a four-year, $35million deal, according to multiple reports.

The versatile edge rusher recorded 18.5 sacks in four seasons for the Ravens after he was drafted by Baltimore in the fourth round in 2015.

He joined the Packers in 2019 and racked up 26 sacks across his first two years, helping Green Bay to back-to-back NFC Championship Game appearances.

We have agreed to terms on a five-year deal with S Marcus Williams.𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 @MarcusWilliams ❗️❗️ pic.twitter.com/qLbfktwSdA

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 16, 2022

Smith and Williams bolster Baltimore

However, a back injury limited him to just one regular-season appearance in 2021. Smith returned for the Packers’ Divisional Round matchup with the San Francisco 49ers but could not prevent Green Bay from suffering a 13-10 defeat.