Za’Darius Smith and the Green Bay Packers are itching to get the 2021 NFL season underway after finishing last year in disappointing fashion once again. For the second straight year, the Packers came up just one win short of the Super Bowl. Now, the team hoping to compete for a Super Bowl appearance game, but still have no clue whether or not Aaron Rodgers will join the team.
Despite the Rodgers drama, the Packers have to feel good about their roster. They have a lot of talent on both sides of the football.
Speaking of Smith, he has become one of the NFL’s most feared pass-rushers. Even though he is one of the best in the business, his name isn’t hyped up in the media. That has been something that has frustrated Smith, but he is ready to prove all of his doubters wrong once again this season.
In a quote shared by Wes Hodkiewicz, Smith opened up about his readiness to silence the critics this year.
“2020? 2021? 2022? They just gonna continue to snub me, it is what it is. I feel like it adds fuel to the fire, and I’m going to continue to prove myself.”
During the 2020 NFL season with the Packers, Smith put together another big campaign. He racked up 52 total tackles to go along with 12.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two defended passes. Those numbers show just how big of an impact player Smith is for Green Bay.
Around him, the Packers have two solid pass-rushers in Preston Smith and Rashan Gary. However, during the 2020 season, Za’Darius Smith was a one-man wrecking crew. That is how he has played in his first two years with Green Bay.
Looking ahead to the upcoming 2021 season, we are predicting that Smith will record 13.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. He will once again prove that he is one of the elite defensive talents in the NFL. If the media doesn’t recognize him after three straight dominant seasons, it will be an absolute shame.
Expect to see a very hungry version of Smith this season. He is obviously fed up with being slept on and will do everything in his power to change that narrative. That bodes well for Packers fans who enjoy seeing him get after opposing quarterbacks.
