The Green Bay Packers have made their first free-agency move, and it's a little surprising.
It's clear they have the necessary cap space to add players once the new league year begins next week, but they must also consider which players to bring back. One many didn't expect to return was linebacker Isaiah McDuffie.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Packers are re-signing McDuffie to a two-year deal worth $8 million, and it can reach as high as $9.5 million.
It's a relatively low-risk move, but it's surprising nonetheless. McDuffie can play on special teams and offers linebacker depth, but he struggled this past season. It's puzzling the team moved so quickly to get a deal done before free agency.
Packers' first free agency domino falls with surprising Isaiah McDuffie re-signing
It's a smart depth move, but where does McDuffie fall into the Packers' plans next season?
Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker are the top two linebackers on the depth chart, and the Packers also drafted Ty'Ron Hopper in the third round a year ago. McDuffie could return as the fourth-choice linebacker, which perhaps means the team doesn't plan to re-sign special teams star Eric Wilson.
That alone is surprising.
Wilson led the Packers in special teams snaps and admirably stepped into a defensive role while Quay Walker was out.
McDuffie struggled in coverage. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed 54 completions on 64 targets for 566 yards, five touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 129.6 passer rating. The Packers can't afford to have McDuffie play extensive snaps on passing downs.
Perhaps the plan is to also re-sign Wilson and run it back with the entire linebacker corps.
The structure of McDuffie's deal is also important to note. Can the Packers get out of the contract without a notable dead cap hit, or is he effectively guaranteed a spot on the 53-man roster?
It's the first Packers free agency domino to fall. They still have big decisions on Eric Stokes, Josh Myers, and AJ Dillon, but they have made their first move of the offseason. McDuffie is back in Green Bay.