Mike Daniels really, really wants to return to Packers

The Pro Bowl defensive lineman has a bunch of reasons why he wants to return to Green Bay in 2020.

If Brian Gutekunst and Mike Pettine want Mike Daniels back in Green Bay, the Packers general manager and defensive coordinator wouldn’t need to do much convincing.

In an interview with the “Wilde and Tausch” radio show on ESPN Milwaukee, Daniels outlined all the reasons why he’d love to return to Green Bay, including the chance to return home and the opportunity to play with Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Kenny Clark along the Packers front.

Daniels wouldn’t give up any details on interest from the Packers’ side, but he wasn’t shy about his own interest in a return to Green Bay.

“I am very excited at the possibility of the opportunity to come back, if that was a thing,” Daniels said.

Daniels spent seven seasons in Green Bay, producing 47 tackles for losses and 29 sacks over 102 games. The Packers cut him in a surprising move last August, and he went on to spend one injury-plagued season in Detroit with the Lions.

Daniels is now 31 years old with an unknown injury situation, complicating the process of finding a new team during a pandemic. But at the right price, the Packers could entertain bringing him back, especially as a veteran with experience in the scheme and a long history of being a disruptive player against the run.

Getting cut before training camp last August robbed Daniels of an opportunity to play with the two Smiths, who revolutionized the Packers defense as an edge-rushing pair in 2019. He likes the thought of playing next to Clark and between the two Smiths in 2020.

Daniels also mentioned his happiness playing a versatile role along the defensive line for Pettine in 2018 and the interest he has in playing with former Iowa teammate Christian Kirksey, who was signed by the Packers to take over as a starting linebacker for Pettine’s defense.

If the interest is mutual, it sounds like Daniels would jump at the opportunity to return to the Packers in 2020.

“That would really be an awesome thing,” Daniels said.

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