The Minnesota Vikings may or may not have a hole at the OLB3 position in 2026, depending on the maturation of young in-house candidates like Bo Richter, Tyler Batty, and Chaz Chambliss. The club could also utilize second-year defensive tackle Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins in an EDGE capacity or bring rookie off-ball linebacker Jake Golday along sooner than expected in a hybrid OLB function.
Or — the club could sign Za’Darius Smith for cheap, who stopped by Minnesota in 2022 and reached the Pro Bowl that year.
Vikings Could Use Another Proven Rotational Rusher
Smith Out in PHI
The Philadelphia Eagles parted ways with Smith earlier this month, as PennLive‘s Johnny McGonical wrote, “The Philadelphia Eagles made a flurry of moves on Wednesday, signing edge rusher A.J. Epenesa and guard Michael Jordan while cutting ties with a pair of reserves. But one more move might have been lost in the shuffle. The Eagles released edge rusher Za’Darius Smith from the reserve/retired list.”
“That makes Smith a free agent, months after abruptly retiring from football. There’s no word on if Smith will keep playing. But now the three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher is free to sign with another team and continue his career, if he so chooses.”
Smith is 33 and could have a season or two left in the tank, especially as a situational pass rusher. Some Vikings fans have thought since his release: Why not Minnesota?
Career Stats and Recent Downturn
Smith remains a viable option for an OLB3, so long as expectations are tempered and folks are not anticipating his 2022 performance.
His career statistics are impressive: 145 games, 98 starts, 70.5 sacks, 87 tackles for loss, 176 quarterback hits, 16 passes defensed, 10 forced fumbles, and 3 Pro Bowl selections. He was particularly effective with Green Bay and Minnesota, accumulating 36 sacks in three full seasons between 2019 and 2022.
His tenure with the Vikings was notably strong, featuring 44 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 24 quarterback hits, and 10 sacks, earning him consideration for Comeback Player of the Year.
Concerns now primarily revolve around his age. His 2023 stint with the Eagles yielded only 1.5 sacks in five games. Nevertheless, Pro Football Focus still assigned him a favorable pass rush grade — 77.7 — which is obviously crucial for the would-be Vikings role.
As an OLB3 supporting Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner, Smith is a sensible choice, especially as an economical rotational rusher.
A Wise Fit in Minnesota?
Smith knows the Vikings — and even most of the current coaching staff, stopping by Minnesota after his Packers chapter in 2022. He curiously asked for a ticket out of town after just one productive season, but in all likelihood, he has a positive opinion of Kevin O’Connell.
And let’s face it — what else is he going to do? He’s winding down his career, and NFL teams won’t bang on his door in full force. He’d also have the perk of joining a Top 3 defense, led by Brian Flores, over the last few years.
For Minnesota, it might just need a seasoned pass rusher who can get after quarterbacks on 3rd Down and be in line for spot starting duty if Van Ginkel and Turner miss time. Smith isn’t unfathomably old; he can likely still start in a pinch.
Overall, a reunion angle makes sense, and Smith can likely be signed for a few million bucks.
SI.com‘s Will Ragatz wrote this week, “On paper, Smith has the kind of skill set that should work in a Flores defense. He can line up on the edge or present a blitz look in the A gap. He’s always been a solid run defender, even if that’s not the most notable part of his game. The three-time Pro Bowler has all kinds of experience in various schemes from his 11 seasons with six different teams.”
The Other Options in Free Agency
Suppose Smith does not move the needle for the Vikings in summer free agency, but they still want a veteran OLB. The options are plentiful:
- Derek Barnett
- Haason Reddick
- Jadeveon Clowney
- Joey Bosa
- Kyle Van Noy
- Leonard Floyd
- Marcus Davenport
- Preston Smith
- Von Miller
Bosa and Clowney, for example, will be more expensive than Smith, but the moral of the story is that a litany of EDGE options remains.
Smith will turn 34 in September. New Vikings general manager Nolan Teasley has about $13 million to spend on free agents, more than enough to sign Smith if he’s in the mood.
For cheap, the guy seems like a wise choice for OLB insurance. Why not?
