Spotrac Projects Contracts for 5 Key Green Bay Packers Free Agents

Green Bay Packers Free Agent: De’Vondre Campbell

Spotrac Market Value Projection: $6.2 million per year on a 3-year deal

We all know that the linebacker position is one that the Green Bay Packers just have not invested heavily in over the years. I mean, even the signing of De’Vondre Campbell was just a one-year deal worth $2 million.

But the question many have is, did Campbell’s play change how Green Bay views the position?

Campbell was a first-team All-Pro in 2021 and was near the top of many statistical categories at the linebacker position. He was PFF’s second-highest graded linebacker, he would also finish sixth in solo tackles, fourth in fewest missed tackles, and his 6.8 yards per catch were the second-fewest. You get the idea.

But to make an argument for the other side, perhaps signing Campbell to such a team-friendly deal reinforces to Green Bay that they don’t need to spend big money on the position. Not to mention that Joe Barry’s background is in working with linebackers, and his defensive system is linebacker-friendly.

Also, in categories such as points per game, DVOA, and run defense, Green Bay finished quite similarly in 2021 as they did in 2020. This, of course, doesn’t all fall on Campbell, and there are many factors that contributed to these outcomes, but as good as he was, in these categories, the needle didn’t really move.

However, with that said, if the Packers can sign Campbell for $6.2 million per year–they should absolutely do it. With the way Green Bay backloads their contracts, a $6.2 million AAV would likely result in a cap hit of maybe $3 million in 2022–which the Packers could make work, even with their cap situation.