Green Bay Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is playing the final year of his rookie contract. The way he tells it, this will be his last year in Green Bay.
“Right now, I’m playing each and every game like it’s my last. I don’t think I’m going to be here next year,” Clinton-Dix said. “That’s how I look at it. I just (have to) be honest with myself. You’ve got to play it game-by-game. Whether we’re losing by 60 points, you’ve got to go out there and perform. This is my biggest interview of my career. So I’ve got to perform, regardless of what the record says.”
That comes as somewhat of a surprise, although maybe it shouldn’t. Clinton-Dix did skip OTAs, seemingly trying to make a point about wanting a long-term deal. That deal never arrived and that shouldn’t be very surprising either.
Clinton-Dix has been up and down in his career. Even this year he’s lacked consistency. While he’s tied for the league lead with three interceptions, he also still routinely misses tackles. A perfect example was when he got shoved to the ground by Lions receiver Kenny Golladay on Sunday.
Clinton-Dix is making nearly $6 million this season. The top safeties in the league make north of $10 million annually. That list is topped by the Chiefs Eric Berry, who makes $13 million annually.
It’s hard to see the Packers doling out a contract like that for Clinton-Dix. I’d argue he hasn’t earned anything near that either.
Still, if Clinton-Dix does move on, the Packers will have a hole to fill at safety again. It’s already one of the team’s weakest positions with the way Kentrell Brice has played thus far.