The Packers have agreed to a one-year, $3.5MM deal with linebacker Ahmad Brooks, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). The pact could be worth up to $5MM. Brooks visited with the Pack shortly after the 49ers released him Aug. 25.
Green Bay will be the third NFL destination for Brooks, who spent the first two years of his career in Cincinnati before joining San Francisco in 2009. He became one of the most accomplished pass rushers in 49ers history during his eight-year tenure in San Fran, where he racked up 51.5 sacks and never finished with fewer than five in an individual season. Brooks was also quite durable as a member of the 49ers, with whom he appeared in at least 13 games in each year.
Most recently, Brooks totaled six sacks during a 16-game, 15-start slate last season, indicating that the 33-year-old still has plenty to offer. While Pro Football Focus wasn’t enamored of Brooks’ work, ranking him just 87th in performance among 110 qualified edge rushers, he still figures to help a Green Bay defense that lost prolific rusher Julius Peppers to Carolina in free agency. Brooks’ presence on the outside could lead the Packers to move Clay Matthews inside, where he’d potentially be an upgrade over Jake Ryan and/or Blake Martinez in nickel packages, as PFR’s Dallas Robinson noted this week. Regardless, Brooks adds a third proven edge rusher behind the Matthews-Nick Perry duo, giving the Packers a trio that combined for 22 sacks in 2016.
Damn I was hoping for the pats but it’s a good pickup for the packers
Damn was hoping for the pats but a good pickup for the packers not sure the need through
Man I was hoping for the pats but it’s a great pickup for the packers but don’t get the need through
One year deal for the Packers is a solid low risk high reward venture on a guy who should have something to prove on and off the field
Will allow Matthews to play inside some too. Go out and get 5 sacks and provide some veteran leadership on the defense and it’ll easily be worth the pickup. I like the move Thompson.
Since he was released, he won’t count against Ted getting his all-important second 7th round draft pick next year.
Wrong link for matthews