How did some notable ex-Vikings perform in Week 1?

Former Viking No. 6

Za’Darius Smith - OLB

Week 1 Stats:

• 6 quarterback pressures
• 2 tackles

Of all the Vikings that were let go during the offseason, Za'Darius Smith had the best Week 1 performance out of all of them.

Smith looked spry and ready to lead the Browns as they shut down the Bengals' offense as he wound up with two total tackles and six quarterback pressures in the victory.

Things went so well that Smith even tried to make his way into the stadium bar to party with fans after the game but was denied by security before he was escorted to the locker room.

This all looks great, but Vikings fans are curious if Smith will continue to produce and smile throughout the season.

Smith got off to a similar start with Minnesota one year ago, leading the NFL with 55 pressures through the Vikings’ first eight games. But injuries slowed down Smith through the final eight games of the season, and he had just 22 pressures in five matchups.

This didn’t stop Smith from demanding a high-dollar extension from the Vikings last offseason, and after a month-long standoff, he was traded to the Browns with the final year of his contract converted into a void year. Packers and Vikings fans both know what’s going to happen next, and it will interesting to see if Smith will remain gregarious throughout the entire 2023 season.