Green Bay Packers: Pros and Cons To Signing Christian Kirksey
The Green Bay Packers have reportedly come to an agreement with linebacker Christian Kirksey. Where can he help and where does he need improvement?
The Green Bay Packers got an early head start on free agency when they reportedly came to terms with inside linebacker Christian Kirksey on Monday morning. Even though the NFL’s legal tampering period doesn’t begin until 11 am central on Monday, the Packers were able to sign Kirksey because he was released by the Cleveland Browns last week.
The deal is initially announced as two-years and $16 million, however, more details have quickly become apparent and it’s reportedly a two-year, $13 million deal with only $4 million guaranteed. There are also plenty of incentives and opportunities for Kirksey to earn more money.
Kirksey visited Green Bay last week and made his decision a few days later. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of the Packers’ new starting inside linebacker:
Pro: Run Defense
The Packers struggled to stop the run last season and have, hopefully, addressed that with the signing of Kirksey. When healthy, Kirksey is aggressive and attacking downhill in the run game, racking up a career-high 11 tackles for loss in 2016.
Blake Martinez was often criticized for being too soft and passive, but that’s not the case with Kirksey. He will demonstrate a level of aggressive tackling Green Bay has been missing for some time. He immediately upgrades one of the Packers’ biggest weaknesses.
Con: Injury History
Kirksey is a big injury risk, as he’s only played in nine total games over the last two seasons. He finished both the 2018 and 2019 seasons on the injury reserve thanks to season-ending hamstring and chest injuries.
Green Bay is hoping he’s put those injuries behind him, as they paid him to be their starting linebacker. Kirksey was healthy the four years before then, playing in all 16 games throughout the first four years of his career. Which version will Green Bay be getting?
Pro: Great Leader
Kirksey adds to the growing list of great leaders in the Packers’ locker room. He was a captain at the University of Iowa and again with the Cleveland Browns. His communication skills will be needed, as inside linebackers are typically relied upon to relay the plays from the defensive coordinator and help get everyone into the right positions.
Packers: 3 Free Agency and Draft Scenarios. dark. Next
Con: Coverage
Kirksey isn’t a three-down linebacker, as he struggles in pass coverage. Although he doesn’t necessarily lack speed, he’s not someone the Packers can rely upon to cover backs and tight ends on a regular basis. The Packers are still hoping for a leap from a youngster such as Oren Burks to help with the coverage duties.