Bishop gets his extension!

[ReasonablySober]

Four years, 19 million.

I hope they don't break up the Hawk/Bishop combo. It's been too good.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

AdamSchefter Adam Schefter
Green Bay signed linebacker Desmond Bishop to a four-year $19 million contract extension.

[LUKE23]

I'd try and re-structure Hawk's deal and then look to trade Barnett, with Chillar being the third ILB. That is the best way to get the most value out of our current LB's. I think Bishop is a better overall player than Barnett, in addition to being younger.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

I doubt we can get anything for Barnett with his injury history. I'd be fine just cutting him, keeping Chiller and then looking to get someone like Casey Matthews in the middle of the draft.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

I agree with Bedard, I think this is a great deal for us.

Greg_A_Bedard Greg A. Bedard
by ProFootbalFocus
He must have wanted the security. Bishop probably could have had $19 signing bonus on open market

[LUKE23]

He has two years left on his deal and is 29, so if he looks to be healthy heading into 2011, I could see some teams being interested. Not expecting a great pick, but getting anything is better than cutting him. I agree that I'd like to draft some ILB as well (in addition to OLB).

[LUKE23]

This also leaves Jenkins as the only defensive player of significance without a current contract for 2011.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

Earlier Tuesday, we noted the Green Bay Packers have lost a stunning 203 starts this season to injury but still made the playoffs as the NFC’s No. 6 seed. Linebacker Desmond Bishop is one of the big reasons why.

Bishop replaced the injured Nick Barnett in Week 5 and more than held his own as a starter over the Packers’ final 12 games, unofficially finishing the regular season with 103 tackles. He has played well enough to figure as a long-term starter at one of the Packers’ two inside linebacker positions, and Tuesday the Packers provided strong evidence that they are thinking the same thing.

Bishop agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $19 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. That deal sets him up to replace either Barnett, who is due about $6 million in 2011, or A.J. Hawk, whose current contract balloons to $10 million next season.

With a wild-card playoff game looming Sunday at Philadelphia, the last thing the Packers want to start talking about is next season. But locking down Bishop was inevitable when you take into account general manager Ted Thompson’s philosophy of developing depth, and future starters, from within. More often than not, the Packers take care of their own.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

This also leaves Jenkins as the only defensive player of significance without a current contract for 2011.

I'd be ecstatic if TT could get an extension done for Jenkins, but I think we are going to have to wait for a new CBA before that one gets done. I can see Jenkins wanting to test the open market.

[ReasonablySober]

ProFootbalFocus: Green Bay got itself a bargain with Bishop for that price. Seems anyone that's watched him on tape would snap that deal up

I know the stat guys love Bishop. PFF said he's been every bit as good as Patrick Willis.

I'm fairly surprised he opted to get locked up before hitting the open market.

[LUKE23]

I'd agree. It would be a shame to lose him, but I also feel like if Jolly is able to contribute, we still would have solid DL depth with Jolly/Pickett/Raji/Neal/Wilson, and maybe Green. It would be nice to have two guys capable of 8-10 sacks though with Jenkins and Raji.

[DH34Phan]

I'm fairly surprised he opted to get locked up before hitting the open market.

Gotta be due to the impending labor struggles and whatnot.

[Newz]

I'd try and re-structure Hawk's deal and then look to trade Barnett, with Chillar being the third ILB. That is the best way to get the most value out of our current LB's. I think Bishop is a better overall player than Barnett, in addition to being younger.

+1

Great deal for us, IMO.

[ReasonablySober]

I'm fairly surprised he opted to get locked up before hitting the open market.

Gotta be due to the impending labor struggles and whatnot.

Yea, this does seem like an instance where the Packers were able to take serious advantage of the situation. Bishop wasn't making dick, and with a lockout on the horizon who knows when his next pay day was coming.

[chuckleslove]

This is a fantastic deal for us, he must want the security of money as well as truly enjoying playing in Green Bay.

[an_also]

great move

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

Here are the free agents for 2011 and 2012. I tried to prioritize them.

2011
1. Cullen Jenkins
2. James Jones
3. AJ Hawk - goes through 2012 but will be re-worked
4. Mason Crosby

Others to consider: Brandon Jackson, Korey Hall, Jason Spitz, Daryn Colledge, Atari Bigby

2012
1. Jermichael Finley
2. Josh Sitton
3. Jordy Nelson
4. Matt Flynn - assuming we don't trade him
~: 2nd Tier
5. Scott Wells
6. Johnny Jolly
7. Ryan Grant

Others to consider: Donald Lee, Mark Tauscher, Pat Lee, Derick Martin


I used this link to determine the free agency years: http://walterfootball.com/freeagentscontractsgb.php

[Wilford Brimley]

This is awesome. I also love how this stuff comes out of nowhere, TT strikes again.

Very interested to see what we do with Barnett, but these is just another step in keeping our top defense together for a few more years.



Also, even if we don't keep Barnett, how good will our D be next year? We currently have the #2 scoring defense, and next year we will ADD: a starting safety (Burnett), 2 starting quality d-linemen (Jolly, Neal), Walden with a full training camp, a healthy Brad Jones, and whatever gems TT finds (Ie Shields, Zombo).

[LUKE23]

Yeah, on paper, our D is insane next year, both with starting talent and depth. The last pieces are another OLB and a better #4 corner and we are just disgusting.

[Wilford Brimley]

^Thats a really good sign when one of the improvements you have to make is a better #4 corner.