Unlike center Evan Dietrich-Smith, who signed his one year-restricted free agent tender on Friday, there’s been no word of cornerback Sam Shields signing his. Apparently, there’s good reason for that — the Green Bay Packers are working on a long-term deal with Shields.
The Packers gave Shields a second-round tender, the highest tender they handed out. That will pay him a little more than $2 million for 2013 if he simply signed that.
However, it would be wise for the Packers to lock up Shields now. Shields had his best season as a pro in 2012 and it seems more and more likely this could be Tramon Williams‘ last season in Green Bay. In addition to his play falling off in recent seasons, Williams will cost the Packers a $9.5 million cap hit in 2014.
Here’s the bad news. Shields and the Packers reportedly aren’t anywhere close to finishing this deal, so it could be a while before he shows up for the Packers offseason program.
It sounds as if the Packers will finish up Aaron Rodgers‘ and Clay Matthews‘ extensions and then turn their attention to Shields.
More non-news from agent leaks on contracts that might be signed,,,or might not, at some undetermined time in the future.
Not sure I would give Shields big money just yet. Let him sit out if he wants and draft a CB to compete with Hayward and House opposite Williams.
If Sam Shields has grown up and decides he wants to be the best cornerback in football, the way he improved his tackling and physicality last year, I believe it’s in his reach.
The intangible factor no team can ever know is how that person will respond once they get paid. Like Coach McCarthy said in his very first meeting with the team when he got the job…our biggest problem as a team is going to be learning how to handle success.
We’ll see if Sammy’s so willing to stick his nose in there when it’s not a contract year.
Nothing like an excuse to miss OTAs, right?
I am sure Sam is eyeing up Tramon-kind of money, but he better be careful. If he misses even a single preseason game, he may come back and find Casey Hayward starting in his spot.
And with Drew Rosenhaus calling the shots….anything is possible.
True…the Packers don’t stock potentials for nothing.
Uh- oh. I see a case of contractitis coming. Symptons usually emerge shortly after first big contract is signed, and include consistently getting beat deep, aversion to tackling, an increasing penchant for holding and repeated claims of “get ’em next time’. Usually incurable.