It Looks Like the End of the Road for A.J. Hawk
The Green Bay Packers mercifully ended the A.J. Hawk era in Titletown last offseason. The Cincinnati Bengals appear set to end the much more brief Hawk era in Ohio this offseason.
Source tells @SiriusXMNFL & @NFLonFOX that @Bengals are releasing @OfficialAJHawk
— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) April 26, 2016
That news likely also puts an end to Hawk’s career.
Hawk signed a two-year, $3.25 million deal with the Bengals after being released by the Packers. He began 2015 as a starter in Cincinnati, but things didn’t end that way.
Hawk played in all 16 games for the Bengals in 2015, but started just 11. He finished with a career-low 24 tackles.
The Bengals signed another veteran linebacker — Karlos Dansby — earlier this offseason. The only curious thing here is why the Bengals didn’t release Hawk then.
Hawk played nine seasons for the Packers after being the No. 5 overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2010.
Always liked hawk more than others. Wish him the best of luck, it is probably time. His skills definitely waned down the stretch of his career, it was painful watching him try and chase running backs out of the backfield.
Never understood the hate for hawk
It wasn’t hate. He was just an ordinary LB that they spent the #5 pick on. It was a weak draft though, Mario Williams, Reggie Bush year.
Cardinals took Matt Leinart that year…Oops
Brady Quinn must be so angry
Do you understand that he SUCKED?
Sucked? Again…”sucked” or “didn’t live up to the number 5 pick”?
945 tackles
20 sacks
9 Int.
3 FF
(1) Pro Bowl
2006 All Rookie Team
Did his job without complaining
Never hurt
Superbowl Champ
Hot wife
I can think of far worse.
You had me at “never hurt”…
First!
I’m sure it was a coincidence that his career nosedived after he cut his hair. I’m equally sure that the timing of both had nothing to do with the HGH testing protocols being changed to use a more sensitive assay using hair samples to implement it.
Compare him to other packer 1st round picks, compare him to other 1st rounders that year, compare him to other packers ILBs.
The guy was reliable and consistent. Got 9 good solid years out of him.
If you get good production from drafted players, regardless of their position and where they’re taken, it could be counted as a good selection. Just think of how many players aren’t durable or don’t solidify a position for you for many years. He was unspectacular but at least he was reliable and accountable and got the defense lined up correctly all of the time. It’s too bad he never lived up to the hype but it’s also fortunate he was as good as he was for as long as he was.
Sure fire PACKER HOF’er ;)
Definitely agree with those wishing him the best and acknowledging his durability and accountability. But I always go back to his college production and terrific combine – he was Luke Kuechly and Patrick Willis before there was a Luke Kuechly or Willis. So what happened? Was it PED thing?
AJ will go on to have a long and successful career in coaching at the D1 level – maybe even at Ohio. Best of luck to him!
Ironically if he were 10 years younger & entering this draft Thursday night, I gotta believe we’d draft the same guy at the 27th overall pick. Slower than molasses but a solid run defender.
Everyone wanted him traded for Marshawn Lynch in 2010 but if you believe in the Space Time continuum, (as I do, cause it’s true) then we don’t win a Super Bowl without AJ Hawk. Plain & simple… Especially when we lost Nick Barnett Week 4 that season.
Exactly Tyko.
I don’t have any angst about Hawk that some do.
I remember a stand up guy that didn’t have an ego and was a team player. Only missed 2 games in 9 years. Slowed down some, but always gave it all he had and left it all on the field.
Almost forget, played ilb in 2010, leading the team in tackles, while defending 10 passes with 3 picks. While calling the defensive schemes for the NFL’s 5th ranked defense.
AJ Hawk…Say what you will. I say he wore the green and gold with pride. I say the man was a true football player. Someone that i’m proud to say was a Green Bay Packer.
Well said, both of you.
You heard me – He Sucked. 945 tackles huh? How many were solo? All he did was pile on, or touch a guy already down to pad that stat. How many were solo?
AJ HAWK HOLD THE PACKERS ALL TIME RECORD FOR UNASSISTED TACKLES AT 798!!!!!!!.
Please respond With another question you need the answer to, and I will again educate you.
I still think he got injured his rookie year, kept quiet, and it robbed him of his speed. His best best year was his rookie year.
He was average. It’s amazing he was around as long as he was.
Nacho dan, we are talking about Hawk not Favre.
I would take hawks first 8 years over any of the ILBs we have now