Packers: Second-year linebacker Kamal Martin surprisingly cut

The Green Bay Packers have surprisingly moved on from second-year inside linebacker Kamal Martin.

A year ago, Kamal Martin was one of the Packers‘ standout performers at training camp before going down with injury.

After featuring in 10 games last season and starting six, many had high hopes for Martin, who was selected in the fifth round by the Packers in the 2020 NFL Draft.

However, it’s been a difficult summer for Martin. Having struggled to find a role in Joe Barry’s defense — Martin was listed as part of the third team on the unofficial depth chart — he then put in a poor performance in Saturday’s preseason loss to the New York Jets.

The Packers even tried cross-training Martin at outside linebacker, but it seems they’ve been unable to find a role for him on defense.

Despite his struggles this summer, it seemed unlikely the team would move on from a player they drafted only a year ago. Especially considering Martin showed a lot of promise during his first training camp in Green Bay.

What does this mean for the Packers’ defense?

Well, the top two at inside linebacker will likely be De’Vondre Campbell and Krys Barnes. We knew that already.

With Martin no longer on the roster, it seems Oren Burks has done enough to ensure he will make the initial 53. Burks has impressed in the preseason and also plays a lot of special-teams snaps. Ty Summers is also a key player on special teams so looks set to remain on the roster this season.

Campbell, Barnes, Burks, and Summers will likely make up the top four on the depth chart, but it remains to be seen whether the Packers will keep a fifth inside linebacker. Rookie Isaiah McDuffie would be a candidate for the final spot.

Martin is the Packers’ first surprise cut of the summer.