Packers: Signing Christian Kirksey would be a good move

The Green Bay Packers’ top offseason need is inside linebacker. Ahead of free agency, one option is to sign Christian Kirksey.

Christian Kirksey was released by the Cleveland Browns earlier this week, and NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that he is meeting with the Packers on Thursday.

Kirksey has been hit with injuries the past two seasons, only playing in nine games since the start of 2018. He only played in two games in 2019 after suffering a torn pectoral tendon.

As a result, it’s likely signing Kirksey would be an affordable move by the Packers and they could potentially sign him to a one-year “prove it” deal, making it a low-risk signing by GM Brian Gutekunst.

Kirksey was selected in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft and is still only 27 years old.

From 2014 to 2017, he didn’t miss a single game. Kirksey became a starter in 2016 and started all 32 games over the next two seasons. In that time, he made 286 tackles, six sacks, eight pass defenses, 17 tackles for loss and forced two fumbles.

The interest the Packers have shown in signing Kirksey could have a lot to do with defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. Pettine was head coach in Cleveland between 2014 and 2015, Kirksey’s first two seasons with the Browns.

Even if they do agree a deal with Kirksey, the Packers may still decide to sign an unrestricted free agent in the next couple of weeks or use an early-round draft pick at the position, but signing Kirksey would help address a major area of need on defense.

If he can stay healthy, he’s shown in the past he can be a good starter at linebacker. Kirksey has also been praised for being a great leader.

Signing Kirksey would come with very little risk, but with a ton of upside. When healthy, he’s a talented player and could help improve the Packers defense at a position of need.