Za’Darius Smith signs with Vikings over Chiefs, Cowboys

It’s been quite a rollercoaster affair for pass rusher Za’Darius Smith in free agency this offseason, but the veteran defensive end has finally found an actual home with the Minnesota Vikings, per NFL reporter Ian Rapoport.

Earlier this offseason, the Baltimore Ravens were believed to have won the sweepstakes to sign Smith after the Green Bay Packers decided they were going to let him hit the open market. Both sides had even agreed to a four-year deal worth up to a potential $50 million. However, one day later, Smith’s side backed out after it was revealed that nothing had been signed.

Despite the verbal agreement, Smith decided to head back to free agency after the Ravens reportedly refused to acquiesce to new proposals by Smith’s agent after seeing what other pass rushers were getting in free agency.

Pass rusher Za’Darius Smith has signed with the Minnesota Vikings.

With Smith back on the table, the competition for his services featured rumors connecting the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs but it was the Minnesota Vikings who earned a visit first. From there, Vikes were able to convince him to sign instead of leaving for another potentially interested team.

Smith was injured for the entire season last year in Green Bay but was a beast of an edge rusher before that for the Packers. Smith had 26 total sacks in 2019-20 combined.

Now the Chiefs are heading toward the NFL Draft without any real changes at edge rusher in free agency unless they want to dip into one of the few veteran options left that make sense. Perhaps Melvin Ingram is viewed as a starter or else Jadeveon Clowney could be called upon But the market is mostly dried up.