The Green Bay Packers overhauled their defense this past offseason. Outside linebacker Preston Smith was a big part of it.
Through 10 games in 2019, Smith has logged 41 tackles, 10 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble and appears to be well on his way to his first Pro Bowl.
Smith picked up his 10th sack during the Packers' win over the Carolina Panthers this past Sunday, and it was a crucial one.
Not because Smith hit a bonus in his contract, but because he and fellow outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith — whom Green Bay also landed in free agency — had a wager between themselves. The bet: whoever reached double-digit sack totals first would buy gifts for the entire defense.
Preston was the first one to do it, and he has decided to supply all of his defensive brethren with Rolex watches:
“I’m excited about it,” Preston said, according to Ryan Wood, Jim Owczarski and Tom Silverstein of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “My teammates helped me. I couldn’t have gotten it done without the other 10 guys on the defense doing their job. It’s very exciting for me, a career high, double digits for the first time in my career. It’s just a great feeling right now, and going into the bye week 8-2 with my teammates is a great feeling also.”
Preston spent the first four years of his career with the Washington Redskins, posting eight sacks twice. He never got to 10 until this season; he is rewarding his teammates for helping him reach that goal.
The Packers are 8-2 on the season and are in prime position to snag a first-round bye in the NFC.
Follow Us
Subscribe