Packers will release linebacker Jaylon Smith
The veteran made one tackle in a Green Bay uniform.
By PackerAaron
Jaylon Smith's stay in Green Bay will apparently be short lived.
ESPN reports the Packers plan to release the veteran linebacker a few short weeks after signing him in free agency.
Smith's play for Green Bay was less than inspiring, to the point where he was a healthy scratch for the team's Thursday night win in Arizona.
The move is an inexpensive one, since the Dallas Cowboys are still paying the majority of his salary.
Smith made one tackle in a Packers uniform, in the game against the Washington Football Team two weeks ago.
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Comments (29)
PackfanNY
November 02, 2021 at 12:06 pm
I thought he could help. Apparently, he couldn’t. I trust Gute and Matt’s assessment. Hope Jaylon Smith can find a home and wish him luck.
Does free a spot. Hopefully they are still looking for help at TE.
dobber
November 02, 2021 at 12:43 pm
I agree. I thought he was a good get who would pay dividends. Will own the fact that I was wrong.
Guam
November 02, 2021 at 03:14 pm
Second that Dobber. I loved the pick up, but he looked lost the first two games and the hand writing was on the wall when he was inactive for the Cardinals. I was wrong too.
Thegreatreynoldo
November 03, 2021 at 05:08 am
Ditto. The Packers released Jaylon today as a courtesy to him. Releasing him today means he becomes an unrestricted free agent. If they release him tomorrow, he is subject to waivers and can't necessarily choose his next team, though probably no one would have claimed him.
I saw this highlight reel of Jaylon's contributions to the Packers.
https://mobile.twitter.com/RodgersIsAGod/status/1455584719148617733?ref_...
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
November 02, 2021 at 03:15 pm
In watching him only a few times I thought the reports about him having a club foot (whatever they called it like a dangling foot following injuries) was correct. Watched him stumble and just not in the plays.
Hats off to Gute trying to get him to see if he would work out, but just as importantly letting him go quickly admitting it was a mistake and it did not work out.
Best of luck to the young man!
Lphill
November 02, 2021 at 12:15 pm
Was a good pickup , sorry to see him go .
ImaPayne2
November 02, 2021 at 12:48 pm
He only played 27 snaps and wasnt effective according to the team.
Lphill
November 02, 2021 at 01:42 pm
You are just repeating what the writer said ,I don’t think he was given enough time to learn the defense .
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
November 02, 2021 at 03:17 pm
LP,
Maybe you are correct but I just felt he did not run and pursue well. That the past injuries removed his ability to separate. No doubt, the Packers felt the same way meaning it wasn't about learning the defense.
jh9
November 02, 2021 at 12:30 pm
The Packers have placed both Robert Tonyan and Kylin Hill on IR. They are no longer part of the 53-man roster. They can be replaced without releasing a player.
The Packers did not have to release Jaylon Smith today. That could very well mean they are trading for a player and need an opening on the roster.
Leatherhead
November 02, 2021 at 12:45 pm
This is what I mean when I say we aren't going to get a guy at this point in the season that's going to make the difference for us. Nothing against Jaylon Smith, or anybody else, but if you're available on the street in November, it's not likely you're a difference maker.
ImaPayne2
November 02, 2021 at 12:47 pm
Yes at this point in the schedule teams are building up for that last run and are adding talent they can afford but giving up picks for it.
scullyitsme
November 02, 2021 at 01:03 pm
I beg to differ, although I’m not high on trading for anyone or any positions in particular at the moment, history is full of trade deadline signings/late season pickups, that can significantly improve teams at this stage in the season. Rasule Douglas comes to mind, Andre Rison, Keith Jackson, Howard green. Couple of would’ve should’ves like lynch/moss. That’s just what I came up with in 2 min.
Leatherhead
November 02, 2021 at 02:43 pm
😎Rison is a good example. But I think that even without him, we were the best team in the league. Jackson signed mid season in 95 and was part of the Super Bowl team. Howard Green was a nice pickup who was part of a big play that made a difference.
😎The Point(s) : The examples you cited are from a long time ago, and teams manage their rosters a lot better than they did 20 years ago.
😎 We will win the division without adding anybody, and there’s nobody we could get at this point, off the street, who significantly improves our chances of advancing.
If there’s a fire sale and we can get a good player who would help us next year too, I’m fine with a trade.
Guam
November 02, 2021 at 03:21 pm
Rasul Douglas? Whitney Mercilus? Both are pick ups that have helped the Packers without having to give up draft choices.
I think you do have to sort through lots of chaff to find a little wheat, but there are good players to be had. Credit Gute for doing his research, finding and sorting through prospects and being quick to cut those that haven't worked out. I love the job he is doing as GM.
Leatherhead
November 02, 2021 at 05:31 pm
Would we win the division without them? Will they be the guys who get us over the hump? I think it’s too early too tell.
If Mercilus, or Douglas, play well in the playoffs and we advance, then you’ve got a point. If they’re hurt or on the bench, not so much.
Guam
November 02, 2021 at 10:56 pm
You have to win the division and get to the playoffs first LH. Douglas pretty clearly preserved the win over the Cardinals. The Packers would likely be 6-2 without him.
I would like to see them contribute more as the season progresses, but they have had a very good start and I don't think you can overlook that entirely.
TXCHEESE
November 02, 2021 at 07:55 pm
I wonder if this more of liking what Mercilus shows and possibly that Z. Smith is healing well
Tundraboy
November 02, 2021 at 10:11 pm
My thoughts exactly.
Oppy
November 03, 2021 at 10:09 am
Mercilus and Zadarius are outside LB's / edge rushers, J. Smith was an inside backer. Different body types, different positions, different skill sets.
This would be like saying the Packers might let Randall Cobb go because Josiah Deguara was coming into form.
ImaPayne2
November 02, 2021 at 12:46 pm
Good for them. I like the quick assessments the team has been making. Its about adjustments and fitting pieces together and when said piece doesnt work, they move on. good job.
This guy was due for a huge payout in 2022 from the cowboys but when they released him we took him in but without that payout being part of the deal. Smart.
packer132
November 02, 2021 at 01:30 pm
I agree. I liked the signing at the time, but sounds like he didn't pick up the defense. One of the Packers writers said he was not a fit, and he did look lost on a couple of plays that I saw. Good job by Pack for moving on and looking for someone else.
ApplesAndTons
November 02, 2021 at 01:59 pm
hopefully it's for the right guy. OBJ isn't being discussed because he just hasn't...but he should be, esp right now
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
November 02, 2021 at 03:22 pm
I believe the Packers are set at WR for the remainder of this year. As someone today mentioned Lazard playing a move TE might work with his size. Losing Tonyan is huge but I have no doubt LF will be very creative (needs to be creative) should Gute not be able to bring another TE in today. ESB is a big guy and moves great but not as solid or as physical as Lazard is.
Packers0808
November 02, 2021 at 02:24 pm
Was a quick in and out for Smith and quick decision by the Packers. They have made good moves to this point so trust they knew what was going on here as well! Hope Mr Smith can catch on some where else and prove his worth where ever it may be! Good luck and hope you can keep your career moving forward!
x24
November 02, 2021 at 03:15 pm
Long snapper Hunter Bradley released too
What are they cooking up?
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
November 02, 2021 at 03:25 pm
See the same thing being the Packers are releasing long snapper Hunter Bradley and giving practice squad long snapper Steven Wirtel the job. I'm really liking how this team is sending a message not only around the league, but internally that they are NOT TAKING PRISIONERS this season. Go GBP's!
packer132
November 03, 2021 at 05:18 pm
Bradley was inconsistent last year and many thought he would be cut. He had several poor snaps again this year, and probably the reason Crosby has not been more accurate. LaFleur does not call out players, though reading between the lines tells me Bradley had several miscues. Wirtel has been on the practice squad, and Packers gave him time to beat out Hunter. He also has worked with the new punter (Bojorquez) recently with the Rams, so should be a smooth transition.
Oppy
November 02, 2021 at 06:52 pm
My gut says there's something else going on with Jaylon Smith behind the scenes that we don't know about, and frankly, probably isn't any of our business.
It is strange to have a guy unexpectedly released mid-season by a team without much explanation, then picked up and dropped again without much explanation.
Someone mentioned drop foot, I would think if it was a medical issue like that, he wouldn't have passed medical examination/physical and probably wouldn't have been signed at all.
Maybe just performance, but it feels like there's something else.