The Green Bay Packers are planning to sign Mazi Smith to their practice squad after working out the former first-round pick on Monday, according to 's Rob Demovsky.
The move gives Green Bay another option on the interior defensive line, where the Packers have been light on depth. They entered the week with only four interior defensive linemen on the active roster and one on the practice squad, even though they have carried plenty of bodies at the position overall.
Why Smith is on the radar
Smith was selected 26th overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2023 draft, so he entered the league with first-round expectations. He has played in 43 games with 20 starts across his NFL career, but his path has changed several times since then.
In November of 2025, Smith was sent to the New York Jets in Dallas' trade for Quinnen Williams. Last offseason, the Jets declined his fifth-year option and released him at the cutdown deadline. He then signed with the Miami Dolphins' practice squad for the 2026 season before Miami released him last week.
What the Packers need to do next
Green Bay's interest makes sense because the team needs more help inside, but there is one complication. The Packers already have a full 17-man practice squad, so adding Smith will require a corresponding roster move before the signing can become official.
If the move goes through, Smith will get another chance to stick in the NFL with a team that needs interior defensive-line depth heading into the stretch run.
