The Packers went out and added two of the best edge rushers available during the first wave of free agency. The Jets, meanwhile, lost out on both of them.
The one in question here is former Raven Za’Darius Smith. He signed with Green Bay, but not before the Jets and Packers entered a bidding war for his services.
Smith wound up signing a four-year, $66 million deal with the Packers, which averages to $16.5 million per year. Only $20 million of Smith’s contract is guaranteed. The Jets, given their cap space, could have topped that, but must have felt the price was too steep.
The Packers added both Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith, another free agent pass-rusher the Jets had interest in.
Za’Darius Smith put together quite a run with the Ravens, as the 27-year-old outside linebacker out of Kentucky had 18.5 career sacks, five pass deflections and three forced fumbles. He joins a long list of pass-rushers that the Jets have whiffed on in free agency. The Jets came into the offseason with the second most cap space in the NFL, and while Gang Green landed both C.J. Mosley and Le’Veon Bell on big deals, a pass-rusher is still missing.
After Justin Houston signed with the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday afternoon, the options left on the market are pretty slim. Names such as Ezekiel Ansah, Nick Perry, Shane Ray, Adrian Clayborn, Aaron Lynch and Derrick Morgan are still available.
