Earlier today NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport tweeted out that the newly released linebacker, Ahmad Brooks would be visiting with the Green Bay Packers.
This is unexpected: Free agent LB Ahmad Brooks has his first visit set and it’s to the #Packers, source said. #Broncos also have interest
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 27, 2017
The move is strange for several reasons. First, although Ahmad Brooks is always good for 6 sacks on a season, he hasn’t truly been an impact player since 2013, and even then he was in the middle of his steep decline. Beyond that, it’s incredibly unusual for Ted Thompson and the Packers to show interest in free agents especially being first in line to bring him in for a visit just 1 day after his release.
Although not standard practice for the Packers, Ted Thompson may not have the luxury of sitting on his hands. The Packers came into the 2017 season with a lack of depth at the outside linebacker position.
They lost rookie Vince Biegel to injury earlier in the year and most recently saw Nick Perry and Jayrone Elliot exit Saturday’s game with injury, leaving an aging a ineffective Clay Matthews to play alongside Kyler Fackrell and a handful of unproven players that up until a few days ago weren’t thought to even make the Packers 53 man roster.
Although not an exiting player, the Packers may need to bring on the 33 year old Brooks to simply ensure there are bodies on the field. Unfortunately, based on the talent level of the current healthy outside linebackers, Brooks would probably be a starter on week 1.
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