Green Bay Packers Re-Sign or Let Go & Prediction: De’Vondre Campbell
By Paul Bretl
Why the Green Bay Packers could let De’Vondre Campbell walk
Well, it has nothing to do with Campbell’s on the field performance; the Green Bay Packers just don’t typically value the linebacker position. Even with bringing in Campbell, it’s not as if the Packers ditched their frugal ways–they signed him in early June to a one-year deal worth only $2 million.
However, was Campbell’s level of play enough to alter how Green Bay views the position?
As good as Campbell was last season, the overall performance of the defense in a few categories was similar to that of 2020. Green Bay finished 14th in points per game and 13th in 2021. By DVOA, they ranked 22nd in 2021 and 17th in 2020. The Green Bay run defense, in terms of yards per carry allowed, was actually worse.
What effect, if any, does this have on Green Bay’s decision?
Or Perhaps the Packers look at when they signed Campbell and the contract they gave him and it reinforces their approach that they can find quality linebacker play — although an All-Pro should not be the expectation — without breaking the bank.
This is also a Joe Barry defense that does make life easier on linebackers than what Mike Pettine’s defense did. With the heavy defensive fronts, the linebackers are kept clean and able to make plays and move sideline to sideline with greater ease. Not to mention that Barry’s background is as a linebackers coach, so maybe the Packers feel that he can have an impact on whoever they bring in.
All of that is, of course, just speculation on my part–but worth noting since this is a position that the Green Bay Packers have not typically spent resources on.
But what is not speculation is that the Packers find themselves in a difficult salary cap situation. As I discussed recently, there are plenty of moves available to create cap space; however, who knows how much spending power they will have in free agency. Even if they have every intention of re-signing Campbell, he could be out of their price range.