Fansided

3 surprise cuts the Packers could make this offseason

By Rucker Haringey

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 16: Preston Smith #91 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates defeating the Los Angeles Rams 32-18 in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lambeau Field on January 16, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 16: Preston Smith #91 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates defeating the Los Angeles Rams 32-18 in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lambeau Field on January 16, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Packers offseason rumors, Christian Kirksey
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 13: Christian Kirksey #58 of the Green Bay Packers chases D’Andre Swift #32 of the Detroit Lions during the second half at Ford Field on December 13, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

2. Christian Kirksey

The Packers secured Kirksey last offseason with a two-year, $13 million deal. They hoped he would be the final piece to take their linebacking corps from good to great. To put it bluntly, he was a massive flop.

The former Browns’ defender did play better when he was moved back to inside linebacker, but his overall PFF grade of the season was still a dismal mark of 44. It’s not an exaggeration to say that Kirksey was one of the worst starting defenders in football a season ago.

Fortunately, Green Bay’s front office built Kirksey’s contract in a manner that makes it relatively simple to get out of. The Packers can let him go while only eating $2 million in dead cap. That makes jettisoning him an easy decision.

Kirksey will likely find another team willing to gamble on him in 2021, but he should be forced to sign a one-year, incentive-laden deal. It’s possible he can bounce back and re-establish his value as an NFL starter, but it shouldn’t happen in Green Bay. The Packers will almost certainly move on from last year’s free agent flop.

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