Pro Football Talk is reporting that the Packers and impending free agent CB Sam Shields will not reach a deal before the start of free agency, and Shields plans on testing the open market.
- Adam Schefter adds that Shields could still return for Green Bay at some point.
- Jason La Canfora mentions that he expects the Browns to among Shields “chief suitors” in free agency.
Cleveland could use another cornerback to pair with Joe Haden who is in line for a contract extension this offseason. They also have about $22 million more than Packers to spend on free agents.
Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reported last week that talks between the Packers and Shields had “heated up” in recent days after the two sides met at the Scouting Combine.
Shields could be targeting as much as $7 million per season in his next contract. There are a number of cornerbacks available in this year’s free agent market, so it appears as though the Packers are comfortable allowing him to field offers from prospective teams.
Shields, 26, has developed into a very solid player for the Packers since he went undrafted in 2010. Statistically, Shields’ 2013 season wasn’t off the charts, but he did manage to contribute 61 tackles, four interceptions and 17 passes defensed. According to Pro Football Focus, his catch-allowed rate was 50 percent which ranks as No. 8 in the NFL for qualifying cornerbacks.
We have Shields listed as the No. 22 player in our Top 50 Free Agents list.
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