Green Bay Packers save $9 million on 2017 cap by releasing Sam Shields
The Green Bay Packers officially released defensive back Sam Shields on Wednesday; Shields announced the news on his Instagram account.
The #Packers are releasing CB Sam Shields, who apparently said goodbye in this Instagram post pic.twitter.com/WP2tutV2as
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 8, 2017
The cornerback played in the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but suffered his fifth documented concussion. As, a result he missed the rest of the regular season and the Packers’ three postseason games.
"“Some days it’s tough headaches, some days it’s mild,” Shields said after the NFC Championship game. “It varies. I never know. I’m so used to it that it’s just normal. Like I said, each day it’s getting better. I’ll be back.”"
The former undrafted cornerback became one of the highest paid at the position in 2014 and had only one-year and $9 million left on his deal.
MORE: Replacing Sam Shields the offseason priority
In his seven seasons with the Packers, he compiled 211 tackles and 18 interceptions. He also made the Pro Bowl in the 2014 season, replacing Darrelle Revis, who played in the Super Bowl.
Earlier in the year, Shields also found himself in some legal trouble. He became the second player on the roster to be charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
Although the release is no surprise based on Shields’ injury history, the Packers secondary is extremely thin and must be addressed this offseason.
Without Shields, the Packers will need to rely on Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins and LaDarius Gunter again; which was a disaster. The Packers finished the regular season ranked 31st in the NFL allowing 4,308 yards.
Randall, Rollins and Gunter immediately become the “veterans” at the cornerback position, at only 24 years old. The lack of experience and guidance played an impact on their struggles this past season.
In order to fix the current situation at cornerback, the Packers will need to attempt to replicate what they had back in 2010, when they defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV.
That unit was anchored by future Hall-of-Fame corner Charles Woodson, who signed with the Packers back in 2006. On the opposite side of Woodson was fourth-year CB Tramon Williams, who led the team with six interceptions.
Many will attribute Shields’ success from undrafted to becoming an eventual starter to Woodson because of his guidance and teaching, on and off the field.
Once Shields went down this past season, Rollins, Randall and Gunter did not have a leader to lean on.
According to Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, with the release of Shields and veteran running back James Starks, the Packers are projected to have $43 million in cap space this offseason.
With Sam Shields and James Starks released, #Packers projected to have about $43 million in cap space this offseason. Good chunk of change.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) February 8, 2017
Next: Top 30 moments in Green Bay Packers history
With that being said, it’s time for Ted Thompson to venture into free agency and bring in a veteran at CB. The last time it happened, the Lombardi Trophy returned to Packers News, why not try it again.