Brandon Chillar Extended, 4 years/$21M, $7M Guaranteed

[jakecronus8]

Plus he plays ST.

He gets plenty of snaps and allows a lot of versatility for Capers to play around with.

keep in mind that he plays special teams for the worst special teams unit in the NFL. Maybe ever.

[paulpressey25]

This just seems like offering Charlie Bell his 5-year/$18 million dollar deal without him even needing to go to the Heat to get the offer.

For my two cents, you save this money for FA where we'll have a lot of holes to fill this off-season in more pressing areas like OL or use the money on guys who are big time studs like Nick Collins.

Again, I have no clue on the locker-room dynamic up there, but I'm guessing a lot of guys in that locker-room are talking. You've got a guy like Donald Driver making less than Chillar now. That type of stuff just doesn't stand up well. And this extension comes at a time when the team finally seemed to have put the early season turmoil behind them.

This to me was just a really dumb move from a number of angles.

[ReasonablySober]

I don't buy that, at all. This happens in every locker room on every NFL team. Every interview I've ever heard on the radio when the topic of contracts is brought up you get the same kinds of answers. Hell, I heard on Jordy Nelson's Monday show two weeks ago. "The NFL is a business". They don't take things like this personal.

[paulpressey25]

I don't buy that, at all.

That's fine. I can guarantee you though every guy on that team was texting each other about that contract today. For most pro athletes it IS about the money.

[ReasonablySober]

Of course it is. But like I said, they all know that the NFL is a business too. Right now Chillar is cashing in.

[notoriousTJ11]

Can someone explain to me what Chillar has done to "cash in". And don't say he plays special teams to because our special teams are pathetic and I don't remember him really ever standing out there

[ReasonablySober]

Bedard seems to think that Chillar has played well enough to get a starters paycheck somewhere and this was what it took to keep a guy that the Packers wanted to have around.

I understand wanting to have depth. But there's depth and then there's paying a guy starters cash when he isn't a starter. To play maybe a 3rd of the defensive snaps.

[notoriousTJ11]

Never have been a huge fan of Bedard. Even if I don't agree with a take McGinn has I respect it because I believe he has a good grasp on every aspect of the NFL and team operations

[Ayt]

Bedard seems to think that Chillar has played well enough to get a starters paycheck somewhere and this was what it took to keep a guy that the Packers wanted to have around.

I understand wanting to have depth. But there's depth and then there's paying a guy starters cash when he isn't a starter. To play maybe a 3rd of the defensive snaps.

More like 50% or more.

We aren't lacking money so we can basically keep whoever we want. I don't see the problem here.

[El Duderino]

Bedard seems to think that Chillar has played well enough to get a starters paycheck somewhere and this was what it took to keep a guy that the Packers wanted to have around.

I understand wanting to have depth. But there's depth and then there's paying a guy starters cash when he isn't a starter. To play maybe a 3rd of the defensive snaps.

More like 50% or more.

We aren't lacking money so we can basically keep whoever we want. I don't see the problem here.

That's why i don't get the anger from some here. Ted is going to have the cap space to keep any of the upcoming unrestricted or restricted free agents he chooses. Whoever doesn't get kept, it will be simply because Ted no longer wants to keep the guy or feels the guy wants to much cash, not because there isn't enough cap space. It's not like if Ted had only given Chillar say a 4yr/15 million dollar deal instead of 21 million that the extra saved 1.5 million per year would have mattered in which players end up staying or going.

I'll agree with those who feel TT overpaid somewhat, but in the end, i don't see it mattering much at all.

[ReasonablySober]

I'm not angry. I don't know of anyone that is.

I just don't agree with the move.

[Isocleas2]

I was ok with the deal when i thought Chillar would be getting 5 mil a year. Versatile linebackers get paid in a 3-4 defense, that's just how it is.

But after finding out HALF of the money (roughly) will be paid in the first year, and is likely the majority of the guranteed portion I'm even more on board with the decision. This means the remaining 3 years of the deal Chillar will be getting paid roughly 3.5 mil and we can likely cut him with little cap ramifications.

I think its a great deal. The only argument worth making is if the same type of "front-loaded" deal could have been given instead to Pickett or Collins. I'm ok with the approach were taking with Collins. We've got him by the balls with or without a cap. So really it was down to Pickett or Chillar.

[magic_turk]

What happens with Kampan? I don't wanna see him go for nothing.

[MickeyDavis]

Kampman will be unrestricted. It's unlikely he'll get a deal from anyone until he's recovered which, at best, will be around training camp next year.

[an_also]

Here is LeRoy Butlers take

Q: What did you think of the Packers' decision to sign linebacker Brandon Chillar to a contract extension? He's the first prominent free-agent-to-be that they've signed since the season started. Were you surprised to hear he was the first one and what did you think of the decision to sign him to a long-term deal?

A: I wasn't surprised at all because I know they like Brandon Chillar. But that being said, if there was any money being spent, it should have been on 3-6 (Nick Collins). No deal should have been gotten until 3-6 was done. He should be top priority. Maybe, just maybe, the philosophy could be to get the smaller guys done before you get to the big fish. If that's the case, it needs to be communicated. But there is no dialogue. You have to have dialogue with Nick Collins directly and his agent. You have to say, "Look, we're going to take care of you. We just don't know when and we just don't know how much. But we will take care of you." History has shown that Ted Thompson will take care of his guys, and 3-6 is one of his guys.

[xTitan]

This just seems like offering Charlie Bell his 5-year/$18 million dollar deal without him even needing to go to the Heat to get the offer.

For my two cents, you save this money for FA where we'll have a lot of holes to fill this off-season in more pressing areas like OL or use the money on guys who are big time studs like Nick Collins.

Again, I have no clue on the locker-room dynamic up there, but I'm guessing a lot of guys in that locker-room are talking. You've got a guy like Donald Driver making less than Chillar now. That type of stuff just doesn't stand up well. And this extension comes at a time when the team finally seemed to have put the early season turmoil behind them.

This to me was just a really dumb move from a number of angles.

First off, as I have said many times before, free agency is not an easy thing for the Packers, just look at the SI article about how it is the last place destination for most young players around the league, plus if it is an uncapped year you won't compete for the few elite players out there. I also disagree that the Packers have a lot of holes, there biggest need is at OT and both free agency and the draft are relatively weak in those areas, they should still be able to grab an OT and DB high in the draft. I don't have a problem with the deal, 7M spread out over 4 years is not bad, the signing bonus is all that really matters and I am guessing the last year is heavily backloaded and Chillar won't see that, you can never comapre an NBA contract to an NFL contract, they NFL doe sit much better.

[Jollay]

I'm not too angry at this, if at all, but it is clearly overpaying.

We'll see what TT does with the rest of the potential free agents, but I hope he doesn't make a pattern of rewarding average players with too much $.

Scott Wells, Ryan Grant, and Jarrett Bush are other examples; although all seem to be playing well currently.

As for FA, I just want a starter roughly a year. Thats it. Doesn't have to be a star--just a starter. I'm pretty sure it can be done. Veterans help--in the locker room and on the field. Ask Charles Woodson. Ask if Tausch and Green signing hasn't helped.

For that reason, keeping Chillar around over the next big 5th round draft pick full of potential is in itself a good thing. At some point we need to transition from youngest team to somewhat veteran if we're going to seriously challenge the best.

And we can still keep our picks in the process.

[eagle13]

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/art ... ped-passes

The Packers were back to using Chillar in their nickel defense in place of base starter A.J. Hawk, who had all kinds of trouble covering Steelers tight end Heath Miller (seven catches for 118 yards).