Green Bay Packers Sky Rocket As Favorites To Land Pro Bowl Linebacker (Report)
The Green Bay Packers are slowly putting pieces of their defense together for the 2024 season. It was made clear from the start of the off-season that the defense will likely be the focus this off-season. Of course, star Safety Xavier McKinney signing with Green Bay highlighted that importance.
While getting another Safety certainly seems to be on the table, getting quality linebackers will be as well. As it turns out, one former pro bowl linebacker may fit this defense perfectly.
The Green Bay Packers Could Land Pro Bowl Linebacker Denzel Perryman
Bill Huber of Packer Central highlighted how this move could be big for the Packers’ defense:
The Green Bay Packers have a three-alarm need a linebacker.
As they transition to a 4-3 base defense, they have only two starting linebackers following the release of De’Vondre Campbell. Who will be the third?
One possibility is 2021 Pro Bowler Denzel Perryman. The Packers and Los Angeles Chargers are among the suitors.
A second-round pick by the San Diego Chargers in 2015, the 31-year-old in 12 games (11 starts) for the Houston Texans last season tallied 76 tackles, including six for losses, along with three passes defensed.
His three best seasons from a tackles perspective came the past three seasons. With the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021, he had a career-high 154 tackles to earn Pro Bowl honors.
With the Raiders in 2022, he had 83 tackles and a career-high 14 tackles for losses. And he might have hit 100 tackles again last season if not for missing five games.
The Packers have only four linebackers under contract: Presumptive starters Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie, special-teams standout Kristian Welch and practice-squad player Christian Young. So, the Packers will be looking to free agency and the draft to find a third starter and depth.
Will The Packers Use Free Agency To Address Linebacker?
Brian Gutekunst, Green Bay Packers general manager, said his team was “a little thin” at linebacker at the Scouting Combine.
By a little, he means a lot. The Green Bay Packers have a dire need for a linebacker following the transition to Jeff Hafley’s 4-3 base defense and the release of three-year starter De’Vondre Campbell.
Last season, former first-round pick Quay Walker led the team with 118 tackles and Isaiah McDuffie ranked second with 82 tackles. How about the third linebacker in the base defense? In the event of an injury, what about competent depth?
Since 2018 the Packers have taken an inside linebacker in the first five rounds twice (Oren Burks in 2018 and Kamal Martin in 2020). If the Packers see premium talent near the top of the draft at inside linebacker, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them pull the trigger. Even more so if they don’t land another linebacker in free agency.
