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Report: Casey Hayward signs three-year deal with San Diego Chargers

By John Buhler

Dec 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Casey Hayward (29) stands on the field before the start of the game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Casey Hayward (29) stands on the field before the start of the game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cornerback Casey Hayward has decided to leave the Green Bay Packers to sign a three-year deal with the AFC West’s San Diego Chargers in NFL free agency.

According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, free agent cornerback Casey Hayward will leave the Green Bay Packers organization to sign a three-year deal worth $15.3 million with the San Diego Chargers.

Hayward had spent his first four years in the NFL with Green Bay after being a second round selection by the Packers in the 2012 NFL Draft out of Vanderbilt University. In his four years with the Packers, Hayward played in 51 games, starting in 20 of them, with nine career interceptions.

He became an elite cornerback in his fourth year with the Packers, starting 11 games and defending six passes as a shutdown corner in the Green Bay secondary. He leaves behind a defense that is on the decline for possibly something on the rise in San Diego.

The Chargers already have a strong and promising young cornerback in Pro Bowler Jason Verrett, a former first-round pick out of Texas Christian University in the Big 12. Signing Hayward in a way helps offset the certain loss of three-time Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle, who has not seen eye-to-eye with the Chargers front office the last few seasons.

With Weddle certainly signing elsewhere, the Chargers can build a solid secondary around Hayward and Verrett for the next several years. Hayward will play most of the 2016 NFL season at 27 years old and Verrett will play the entire campaign at only 25 years of age.

San Diego will need to upgrade the defense, as Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith will likely lead a playoff-caliber team in 2016 and Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is well on his way to stardom entering year three as a professional. Signing Hayward to a three-year deal will ensure that the Chargers will hold their own in the defensive backfield for the next few seasons.

For most post related to 2016 NFL free agency, please check out of free agency hub page.

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