The Viking Age
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What the Vikings can expect from new LB Za’Darius Smith in 2022

By Adam Carlson

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 15: Outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith #55 of the Green Bay Packers warms up against the Minnesota Vikings before the game at Lambeau Field on September 15, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 15: Outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith #55 of the Green Bay Packers warms up against the Minnesota Vikings before the game at Lambeau Field on September 15, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) Za’Darius Smith /

The Bad

Struggled to stay healthy in 2021

Za’Darius Smith was only able to play one game for Green Bay in 2021 before back issues sidelined him for the rest of the regular season only to return to get a sack in the playoffs in just 19 snaps played.

Smith had surgery to repair a bulging disc in his back stemming from an incident in the weight room. The edge rusher assures everyone that he’s fine, saying “I’m as healthy as ever. Just did my physical. Everything’s clear. So excited man. Back is good.”

Vocal about issues with teams

Minnesota has had issues with players taking to social media when they’re upset and making themselves and the franchise look bad by not keeping their issues in-house. Smith is one of the players who had no issue making his issues public.

While with the Packers, he brought issues with his contract public by sharing them on Twitter. Considering the Vikings are still struggling to move on from the messy breakup with former head coach Mike Zimmer and GM Rick Spielman, they had better hope they can keep their players happy while they rebuild their reputation.

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