The Green Bay Packers didn’t waste time addressing their need at inside linebacker, agreeing to a two-year deal worth up to $16 million with veteran Christian Kirksey on Monday morning.
Here’s what the Packers are getting in Kirksey:
Production, when healthy
There’s no denying Kirksey’s ability to produce when he’s on the field. Over a 32-game stretch between 2016-17, Kirkey tallied 286 tackles, 17 tackles for losses, six sacks, eight pass breakups, two forced fumbles and 13 quarterback hits. Even as a spot starter his first two seasons (13 starts), he still produced 164 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 10 tackles for losses. The problem? He’s only played nine games the last two seasons, ending both the 2018 and 2019 seasons on injured reserve. The Packers are banking on Kirksey staying healthy and returning to his productive ways in Green Bay.
Potentially disruptive versatility
While never an elite coverage linebacker, Kirksey has a strong background defending the run and rushing the quarterback. In 2016, Kirksey led all linebackers in run stops with 46, had the fourth-highest grade among linebackers against the run and produced 16 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. In 2016 and 2017 combined, Kirksey had 129 total stops (a tackle resulting in a defeat for the offense) and 30 total pressures. The Packers need help defending the run, and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is never afraid to send an inside linebacker on a blitz. They’ll be in good shape if Kirksey can shake off two lost season and regain his form from 2016-17.
Another leader
The Packers added several important leaders to the locker room during free agency last March. They’ve added another in Kirksey, a captain with the Browns and at the University of Iowa. Former Browns teammate Joe Thomas recently called Kirksey one of his “very best teammates.” That’s a big endorsement from a future Hall of Famer. Great teams often have great leaders at inside linebacker, and the Packers are likely adding one of the best in Kirksey.
Synergy with Pettine
Who was the head coach in Cleveland when the Browns drafted Kirksey? Mike Pettine. In fact, Pettine was the head coach for each of Kirskey’s first two NFL seasons. These kinds of player-coach connections always help facilitate reunions. Pettine knows what he’s getting in Kirksey as a player and leader, and Kirksey knows the Pettine defense and what is expected out of the inside linebacker position within the scheme. Expect Kirksey to wear the communication helmet and replace Blake Martinez as the defense’s leader on the field.