The Green Bay Packers have a decision to make on outside linebacker Nick Perry, but it appears to be a no-brainer.
By Sunday, the Packers will have to decide whether to pick up Perry’s fifth-year option. If they don’t, Perry will become a free agent after the season. If they do, they’re paying Perry $7.75 million in 2016.
Obviously, Perry’s production up to this point do not warrant that sort of investment by the Packers. As such, they’re not expected to pick up the option.
Perry has a grand total of 68 tackles and nine sacks since being a first-round pick in 2012. He’s also missed 16 games because of injury over that span.
Despite what appears to be a no-confidence vote, this could actually work out great for both parties. Providing he can stay healthy (and depending on the draft), Perry is in line for the most playing time of his career in 2015, with Clay Matthews now playing inside linebacker. There will be no better opportunity for him to make an impact and earn a decent payday.
The Packers, meanwhile, stand to benefit from providing that incentive. Unless your name is B.J. Raji, you play balls out in a contract year. That usually translates into guys playing the best football of their career.
If that scenario comes to fruition, the Packers will end up paying Perry and he will have earned that payday. If it doesn’t, then he’s just another first-round draft bust. That’s something Ted Thompson is growing more and more familiar with as the years go on.