De’Vondre Campbell signs lucrative deal to stay with Packers

Green Bay Packers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell has signed an expensive long-term contract to stay with the team.

Campbell cashed in on a five-year contract, and rightly so. The first-team All-Pro linebacker played all of last season on a one-year prove it deal, in which he made just $2 million.

Considering Campbell’s production, that’s one hell of a bargain.

The 28-year-old from Fort Myers, Florida put up great numbers, registering 146 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in 16 games.

In previous stints with the Cardinals and Falcons, Campbell hadn’t proven himself nearly as capable as he did in his career year in Green Bay. With Aaron Rodgers in tow, the Packers ensured they keep one of their best defensive playmakers around.

De’Vondre Campbell contract: Packers may lose other playmakers as result

The likes of Marquez Valdes-Scantling will be tough to keep around with Campbell taking up a lot of cap room.

The Packers also re-signed Preston Smith on Monday, and Davante Adams wants a long-term contract of his own to make him the highest-paid wide receiver in football. Heck, Rodgers favorite weapon refuses to play on the tag.

With Eric Stokes and Jaire Alexander emerging on the defensive side of the ball, Campbell fills a more immediate need at the linebacker position. Secondary, meanwhile, looks to be handled.

Green Bay is also at risk of losing Za’Darius Smith, who they cut on Monday at the start of free agency. The Packers gave Smith the option to come back at a lesser cap number, but he didn’t seem all that interested in Green Bay’s proposal.

Rodgers’ official contract details, meanwhile, have yet to be officially announced. It’s unclear what his cap number will be, and how it will help the Packers this year vs long-term.

Odds are, the team is waiting to make said contract official so they can ensure they’re under the salary cap before doing so, since Rodgers is willing to be flexible.