The Green Bay Packers will likely lose depth at edge rusher this offseason.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell is expected to leave the Packers in free agency, with the unrestricted free agent likely to look for a one-year deal with a team capable of offering a bigger opportunity than the Packers – who invested heavily at outside linebacker over the last year – can realistically provide.
Fackrell, a third-round pick of the Packers in 2016, produced 16.5 sacks and 111 tackles over four seasons in Green Bay.
Despite a breakout season in 2018, when Fackrell came out of nowhere to tally 10.5 sacks, the Packers got aggressive at edge rusher the ensuing offseason, signing veterans Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith in free agency and then using the 12th overall pick on Rashan Gary, completely rebuilding the position.
Fackrell played just 415 snaps and produced one sack and 10 quarterbacks in 2019. Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine played him a versatile role that asked Fackrell to both rush the passer and drop into coverage.
The 28-year-old will now go into free agency looking for a chance to play more snaps and produce bigger numbers in 2020, potentially creating an opportunity for a bigger payday in 2021.
The Packers will need to add or identify a fourth edge rusher this offseason. Former Ravens draft pick Tim Williams will be back, in addition to undrafted free agents Randy Ramsey and Greg Roberts. GM Brian Gutekunst could target another edge rusher at some point in the draft to ensure his stable of outside linebackers remains deep and versatile.
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