The Green Bay Packers have re-signed the only remaining guy on their internal list of free agents that we gave a shit about. Linebacker Nick Perry got a one-year deal worth $5 million, on Thursday.
For the #Packers and LB Nick Perry, it's a 1-year deal worth $5M, source said, plus playtime incentives
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2016
The interesting part there is the part about incentives.
Perry has been an injury waiting to happen throughout his four-year career. He’s missed a total of 18 games with various ailments and even when he has been available, he seems to be playing through one injury or another.
Most recently, it has been a recurring shoulder injury.
However, Perry has shown us two things.
He’s a very solid run defender as an outside linebacker. In fact, Perry is far superior to Clay Matthews in that respect.
When he’s fully healthy, it certainly seems like Perry can make a difference. He turned in eight tackles, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble in the Packers’ two playoff games last season.
We don’t know the contract particulars yet, but it sounds as if the Packers have protected themselves. If Perry is available, he’ll get paid. If he isn’t, he won’t.
Another important aspect of this move for the Packers is it lessons the pressure on Ted Thompson to acquire another outside linebacker. Prior to the signing, the Packers had just Julius Peppers, Clay Matthews and Jayrone Elliott under contract at the outside linebacker position.
Since this is likely Peppers’ final season, the Packers still need another young outside linebacker, but they don’t necessarily need someone who can step into the rotation right now.
Perry and Peppers can split reps on one side and Matthews can hold down the other in 2016.
Still need someone else in case Matthews, who has a long injury history himself, gets hurt. They still will need a couple more bodies there. As much as I defend TT, he definitely botched the Carl Bradford and jerel worthy picks. And khyri Thornton. Definitely playing a factor in those positions being thin.
Good signing though, was really hoping he would be brought back
Good deal here.
I would rather see this be a 2-year deal.
also, I don’t see how this guarantees Peppers is here for 1 more season. Take another look at that deal. It was basically a 2-year deal with a 3rd a possibility.
Perry is a fair player. Just always unlucky with the injuries.
I personally can’t believe he resigned with us.
Signed one of his own draft busts! Way to go Ted!
“I don’t normally overpay for free agents, but when i do, i prefer they’re my own free agents”. -Ted Thompson
LOL, you know the details of the contract? I’d be surprised if there wasn’t a lot of money riding on his health (like bonuses for games played, maybe even a roster bonus). Furthermore, Perry is young, and when healthy one of our better overall players-arguably the best against the run and a very capable pass rusher, as evidenced by his domination of DC’s All-Pro LT.
Furthermore, Peppers is making a whole lot more than Perry, and pretty sure he wasn’t a Packers FA. So who are the Packers overpaid signings? Rodgers? Daniels? Matthews (Maybe)? Cobb (reportedly took a pay cut)? Guion and Raji last year making about $3.5 mil a piece? LOL, yeah OK.
Phatgzus- haha yup.
$5 million in what is essentially a prove it deal. 3% of the team cap at what is essentially one of the highest paid and most important positions in football. Proven pass rushers aren’t cheap.