Packers Still Trying to Get Rid of Desmond Bishop
The Green Bay Packers tried to trade inside linebacker Desmond Bishop during the draft. They failed and we thought that was the end of it, but now it’s clear that isn’t the case.
The Packers will reportedly trade Bishop or restructure his contract. If both of those efforts fail, they’ll release their best inside linebacker.
From the Packers perspective, the problem with Bishop is twofold. He missed all of last season with a hamstring injury. Although he says he’s 100 percent now, Bishop hasn’t participated in OTAs or minicamp.
The other issue is salary. Bishop is due a little over $3.9 million in salary and bonuses this season. That number rises to just north of $4 million next season. The team invested $11.75 million (over three years) to re-sign Brad Jones this offseason. They also have A.J. Hawk, who’s making $10.6 million over the next three years as part of a restructured deal he signed this offseason.
This could primarily be a money issue, although releasing Bishop now creates $1.8 million in dead money, so the team’s savings isn’t that substantial.
It could also be about the injury. The Packers released D.J. Smith — another inside linebacker and one-time starter coming off injury earlier this offseason.
In any case, we’ve said it before and we’ll say it again — stupid fucking move.
Bishop is hands down the Packers best inside linebacker when he’s healthy. He’s one of the defense’s top playmakers. In 2011, Bishop had 115 tackles, five sacks and two forced fumbles in 13 games.
We thought our A.J. Hawk nightmare might finally be over, but the Packers seem insistent that it will live on.
[schema type=”person” name=”Desmond Bishop” orgname=”Green Bay Packers” ]
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“Getting Rid Of Bishop” would have been an insane statement before that Preseason game 1 leg injury…
It still feels crazy after they (for some reason) released D.J. Smith…We have no other ILB.
Oh, but guess who still needs an ILB…The Minnesota ViQueens…Coincidence?
Let me get this right. We have 14 LB’s going into training camp and 8 of them have 1 or zero years of experience. How can Capers be on board with this move? This makes no sense what so ever! I was just starting to feel good about the upcoming season. WTF!
Really, this shouldn’t surprise anyone, not after the Packers were looking to trade Bishop on draft day.
And when Bishop came out saying he was going to be the DPOY, that sounded to me like a man trying to sell himself to other teams.
The only surprising thing to me about it is that Ted Thompson would have to accept $1.8 million in dead money if he either trades or waives Bishop.
The Packers obviously like what they saw from Brad Jones last season, and certainly one would expect that Jones can improve yet, considering that was his first season at the position.
AJ Hawk knows his assignments and shows up to play every week, and thank God for him, because if it wasn’t for his durability, the Packers would have a frickin revolving door at the ILB position because no one else can stay healthy for a whole season.
So, there’s your starters.
Obviously, like DJ Smith, the Packers doubt that Bishop can return to his former self. Of course, Bishop says he is 100%. What else would he say? The Packers aren’t buying it, and aren’t interested in taking the risk.
Yes, Bishop had 115 tackles and 5 sacks in the 13 games he managed to play in 2011. The Packer defense was also TERRIBLE that year.
Hey, look at the positive, if TT is willing to swallow dead money and release Bishop, then that puts Mason Crosby on the chopping block too.
Christ. Maybe the only thumper we have. I guess I have no choice but to trust the medical staff on this one, BUT, I will follow his career, if he returns to form for another team… Well… I’ll write a strongly worded letter to Ted… STRONGLY! WORDED!
Will this be another Cullen Jenkins mistake?
I hope we don’t lose this guy he IS the only thumper we have. In essence when Dez Bishop went down last year, our Super Bowl chances were effectively over.
I don’t understand what commands loyalty from the Packer organization and what doesn’t anymore. We’ll carry the Harrell’s, Sherrod’s, and Quarlesses of the world…guys who have contributed relatively little, while abruptly looking to unload a major contributor on a Super Bowl winning team, who in the grand scheme of things, isn’t carrying a salary that’s going to make or break us this season.
Unless he has zero chance of recovery, I feel letting him get away would be a big mistake. And don’t even get me started on Tramon Williams and his $7 million salary. We’ll wait for him to be healthy….but not Bishop.
Completely agree. Brad Jones is ok, but always a backup. Watching AJ Hawk every week tears my hamstring. And I was just starting to feel better about this team.
Vomit – full tear every week? Sounds like a bitch.
Might I recommend finding a vikings fan when that happens.
If loyalty is measured in time and money, then the Packers have been more loyal to Bishop than any of those guys. He has been on the team longer and been given more money.
sumpten’s zup………you just don’t trade good, healthy players. unless you’ve got someone who can do it better. do we? hmmmmmm……..
this
If someone wants to give a 3rd rounder..do it. I’d keep him. Would it surprise anyone if Hawk or Jones went on IR?
the 3-4 almost hinges on good linebacker play.
no matter if they keep Bishop or not, it is
difficult to see where the improvement
will come from.
“you just don’t trade good, healthy players.”
This move tells me that Bishop isn’t healthy, and the brass doesn’t see him being any time soon. Only rational explanation.
Of course he says he’s 100%. If you believe that then I have some beach front property to sell you in Colorado. The guy ruptured his hamstring, which is a significant injury. They even tried to trade him and nobody would bite. If the Packers don’t think he’ll be ready for opening day then I can’t blame them for releasing him.
last offseason, here are the packers best linebackers in order from best to least…
1. Clay Matthews,
2. Desmond Bishop,
3. DJ Smith
4. no one
5. who cares
6. AJ Hawk
What is happening in GB, starting to make me doubt some of these personnel decisions, when, before, i could at least justify in my own mind that everything would be alright, but not this time… if Bishop gets released that is.