Green Bay Packers Rumors: Interest in LB Nick Kwiatkoski

More rumors are coming out of the NFL Combine as the Green Bay Packers are reportedly interested in free agent linebacker, Nick Kwiatkoski.

There have been a number of rumors to come out of the NFL Combine pertaining to the Green Bay Packers this week. A few notable items include pursuing free agents Austin Hooper and Joe Schobert, as well as potential contract extension talks with Aaron Jones’ representatives.

But the most recent bit of information, first reported by Aaron Nagler of Cheesehead TV, is that the Packers will be looking into free agent linebacker, Nick Kwiatkoski.

With Blake Martinez very likely on his way out of Green Bay, the Packers have a huge hole to fill at inside linebacker. Relying on Oren Burks and Ty Summers just isn’t going to cut it.

However, what makes this situation a bit tricky is that on top of addressing the inside linebacker position, Green Bay is also in need of a tackle, a receiver, they should be extending Kenny Clark this offseason, and not to mention that added depth at tight end and cornerback is needed as well.

So for a team with other significant needs to fill and limited cap space this offseason, some of the high-profile free agent options like Corey Littleton or even Joe Schobert could be out of Green Bay’s price range. Meaning, filling the inside linebacker need with an ascending player like Kwiatkoski who will likely come with a much more modest contract makes a lot of sense.

Kwiatkoski is a former fourth-round draft pick and during his career with the Chicago Bears, he’s made 57 appearances, including all 32 games the previous two seasons, and he also has 22 starts. Eight of which came in 2019.

While Kwiatkoski isn’t going to have the same overall numbers as Martinez, Schobert, or Littleton – he just hasn’t had the same opportunities – he has shown that he can be a three-down linebacker in this league and a breakout season may not be too far off for him.

With more playing time in 2019 due to a Danny Trevathan injury, we saw that Kwiatkoski held up well against the run, was a very capable blitzer having recorded three sacks and 10 quarterback hits last season. And on top of that, he was solid in coverage as well. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Kwiatkoski was targeted 34 times and allowed only 8.1 yards per catch while opposing quarterbacks had a passer rating of just 85.5 when throwing his way.

Although it’s a bit of a smaller sample size compared to the other free agent options, it is easy to see that Kwiatkoski has the potential to be a difference-maker in the middle of this Green Bay Packers’ defense. This could be a great opportunity for the Packers to land an ascending player who is entering his prime years and at an affordable contract. This is certainly something to keep our eyes on as free agency unfolds.