Rapoport: Packers interested in former Cowboys LB Jaylon Smith

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the buzz around the league is that the Green Bay Packers are interested in former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith, who, as Rapoport noted, was in Notre Dame during the head coach’s time. Matt LaFleur with the Fighting Irish. Unlike Stephon Gilmore’s situation, the Packers wouldn’t have to trade a pick to add a top-tier contract to their squad, potentially making that deal easier to execute.

Inside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell made an impact in his first year with the team. His job would not be the one replaced by Smith. Instead, Smith’s signing would be a move to add talent alongside and behind Campbell.

Krys Barnes is usually the starter next to Campbell but missed last week with a concussion he suffered against the San Francisco 49ers the previous game. Barnes has just resumed his practice fully today.

In Barnes’ absence, the team tended to play third-year linebacker Ty Summers on basic passes while fourth-year linebacker Oren Burks played on the edge, in pressure packs and on passes. The only other inside linebacker on the roster is rookie Isaiah McDuffie, who at this point is a special teams player for the team.

The addition of Smith, a former All-American and Pro Bowler second-round pick, would be an interesting decision for the team. A major college-level injury was a factor in his pro-level speed, possibly one of the reasons the Cowboys walked out of his six-year, $ 68 million contract with the team.

If he finds LaFleur, the questions are “Does he have enough in the tank to start?” and “Which inside linebacker are you cutting to open up a place for Smith?”