Whether it’s because it’s an odd-numbered year or because it is effectively a contract year, Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Preston Smith has made a marked improvement in his play in 2021. Smith’s pressure rate is way up and he is making much more impactful plays on a consistent basis, an encouraging sign for a player whom many (this writer included) thought should have been let go in the offseason.
But one other possible reason for Smith’s jump in play is his usage under a new defensive coordinator. Gone are the games in which he might play double-digit snaps in coverage in a single game, as he is instead focusing on his run support and pass rushing almost exclusively.