Packers LB Preston Smith excited for long-awaited return to Washington 

GREEN BAY – As Preston Smith can attest, there is not at all times time for goodbyes within the Nationwide Soccer League.

After a fruitful four-year run in Washington, the 6-foot-5, 265-pound linebacker’s first and solely foray into free company resulted in Smith leaving for Inexperienced Bay in March 2019.

A second-round decide in 2015, Smith recorded 168 tackles, 59 quarterback hits and 24½ sacks whereas enjoying in all 64 regular-season video games (50 begins) with Washington.

Following the 2018 season, the Packers justifiably rewarded Smith for his manufacturing with a long-term contract however there have been extra than simply fond recollections he left behind in D.C.

“I do not assume I went again to even transfer out of my home,” recalled Smith on Thursday. “I simply referred to as the shifting firm had them transfer my stuff. My spouse, she was there. However after the season ended, I left, and I by no means got here again.”

Sunday’s matchup with the Commanders marks Smith’s first journey again to FedExField since Washington hosted Philadelphia in its 2018 regular-season finale.

Since then, Smith has developed into one of many pillars of Inexperienced Bay’s protection, tallying 155 tackles, 60 QB hits and 28½ sacks in 54 regular-season video games.

Smith has performed Washington earlier than. He had a sack and three quarterbacks hits in a 20-15 Packers victory on Dec. 8, 2019, however that sport was performed at Lambeau Discipline. Lastly going again to FedExField brings with it some nostalgia.

“I had so many nice recollections there in D.C.,” Smith stated. “I am excited to return and see what it is like. Most likely go to a pleasant restaurant, get one thing to eat with a few of my teammates, and play within the stadium the place it began for me, my NFL profession.”

Popping out of Mississippi State, Smith was extensively thought-about one of many prime move rushers within the 2015 NFL Draft following a nine-sack senior season during which he additionally intercepted two passes.

On the lookout for reinforcements at exterior linebacker behind Ryan Kerrigan and Trent Murphy, Washington was offered on Smith as a developmental prospect and the younger linebacker match proper in. Because the No. 3 exterior linebacker, Smith had eight sacks and three compelled fumbles his rookie season.

Coincidentally, Smith’s first defensive coordinator within the NFL additionally occurs to be his present one: Joe Barry, who led Washington’s protection throughout Smith’s preliminary two professional seasons.

“He is what an outdoor rusher, a defensive finish is meant to appear like,” Barry stated. “He is received all of the attributes so far as the size, the scale. However then he has the athleticism, he has the change of route. … Clearly he is improved in all these issues, being the veteran that he’s now (however) when he got here out, he was actually the entire package deal. He had the whole lot that we needed.”