Packers Sign Nick Collins, Ryan Pickett

Ryan Pickett has something to celebrate.

By Green Bay Packers’ standards, the team has been active during free agency. They haven’t signed a player from another team, but they’ve now signed three of their own players after inking safety Nick Collins and nose tackle Ryan Pickett today.

There are conflicting reports on Collins’ contract.

Per Pete Dougherty, Collins received a four-year deal worth $26.7 million, an average of nearly $7 million per season. Collins will make $14 million the first year of the contract — $3.3 million will come in the form of salary and the remainder will come in bonuses.

The move follows a trend in the NFL this year. Teams are paying free agents with a large chunk of up-front money to take advantage of the uncapped year. Salaries in future years, by and large, are much lower because no one seems to know if the salary cap will return as part of a new NFL labor agreement.

Pickett, who the Packers designated their franchise player, signed a four-year deal, $28 million deal per John Clayton. Pickett will receive $10 million in 2010.

Today’s signings follow the Packers re-signing tackle Chad Clitton to a three-year, $20 million deal.