NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo recently dropped this bombshell on Twitter:
#Packers are releasing DL Mike Daniels, source says. Wowza.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 24, 2019
The #Packers explored a trade of Mike Daniels, source adds, but couldn’t make it happen. He was due $8.1m this season in base salary and roster bonuses. The #Browns, with all their former GB connections, figure to at least take a look after trying to sign Gerald McCoy.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 24, 2019
A veteran with the team, Daniels has been around since 2012 when he was a fourth-round pick. Originally from New Jersey, Daniels played for the Iowa Hawkeyes. He started all 13 games in his senior year and was praised for his quick speed by analysts going into the draft.
He has been a starter for the defense the past 5 seasons, but according to NFL.com, he only lined up for around 40% of snaps in year one of Mike Pettine’s defense.
His most recent performance:
Year
|
Team
|
COMB
|
AST
|
Sack
|
INT
|
YDS
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018
|
Packers
|
18
|
8
|
2.0
|
0
|
0
|
2017
|
Packers
|
49
|
15
|
5.0
|
0
|
0
|
Career
|
225
|
71
|
29.0
|
1
|
6
|
His 2018 season ended with a foot injury. The move frees up around $8.5 million for the team.
There are a lot of reasons why Mike Daniels was a cut candidate
– Foot injury
– 30 years old
– Down 2018
– Scheme fit
– Gary/Keke picks
– Dean Lowry extension
– $10+ million cap hitBut hard to skirt around the fact that they’re a worse team today than they were yesterday
— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) July 24, 2019
__________________________________________________
The #Packers signed DE Dean Lowry to a 3-year extension worth $20.325M in new money ($6.775M per year), source said. One of their core players.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 23, 2019
At $6.775 million per year, the narrative that the Packers have to flash extra cash than most teams to keep players interested in living in Green Bay gets a bit stronger. Of course, Lowry is a younger and healthier counterpart to Mike Daniels for a slightly lower price. His is still producing at his best level and has missed a single game in three seasons. Last year, he claimed 44 tackles and 3 sacks. He will need to keep working on his Lambeau Leap.
https://www.facebook.com/Packers/videos/1113530042186349/
Up next? Perhaps Kenny Clark?