Za'Darius Smith remains a free agent. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Two-time Pro Bowl edge-rusher Za'Darius Smith backs out of reported deal with Ravens

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 3/17/22

Za'Darius Smith is following in the footsteps of the likes of J.D. McKissic and Randy Gregory.

Plot twist: Former #Packers pass-rusher Za'Darius Smith is not signing his deal with the #Ravens after all, sources say. He remains a free agent.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2022

It was reported on Wednesday that Smith would be signing a four-year, $35 million deal to return to the Ravens, the team that selected him in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Instead, the two-time Pro Bowler is still up for grabs.

During the Packers' Week 1 contest last season, Smith was limited to 18 defensive snaps due to a back injury and was ultimately placed on injured reserve. He missed the remainder of the regular season but made it back for Green Bay's divisional-round game against the San Francisco 49ers, recording a sack and playing 19 snaps.

Smith has posted 227 tackles, 112 quarterback hits and 44.5 sacks in 91 career regular-season contests. He registered career-highs in tackles (55) and sacks (13.5) in 2019, and during the 2020 season, he led the Packers in quarterback hits (23), sacks (12.5), tackles for a loss (12) and forced fumbles (four).

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