GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith has signed his one-year restricted free agent tender.
This guarantees that Dietrich-Smith will be able to participate in offseason workouts that begin April 15.
Dietrich-Smith was given the lowest qualifying offer, which carries a value of $1.323 million. Though Green Bay has a right to match any offer to Dietrich-Smith, there is no compensation associated with it if another team successfully signs him away from the Packers. However, restricted free agents rarely change teams.
The restricted free-agent signing period expires April 19. At that point it would become official that Dietrich-Smith will be back with the Packers next season -- unless the team were to opt to part ways with him.
Dietrich-Smith was inserted as Green Bay's starting center late last season after veteran Jeff Saturday continued to struggle. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has publicly supported Dietrich-Smith as the Packers' permanent starting center moving forward.
Green Bay is still waiting on cornerback Sam Shields to sign his restricted tender. Shields was given a second-round tender, which means he'd receive a one-year deal for $2.023 million.
Follow Paul Imig on Twitter.
