Isaiah McDuffie Re-Signed

[Dantés]

Packers, LB Isaiah McDuffie agree on new contract

The Packers are holding on to one of their own free agents.

www.nbcsports.com

He's coming back on a 2 year deal worth 8M and incentives that can get him up to 9.5.

I really like this move.

McDuffie is a liability in coverage, but he's a good LB3 for the base defense and a core special teamer. His ST snaps dropped off in 2024 because he was playing so much on defense, but that will reverse now that Walker and Cooper come in as the established starters.

He's still 25 years old, has made strides in GB, and the deal is highly affordable.

 

[AmishMafia]

I'm surprised. We now know what an LB is supposed to do (Coooooop!). He is a decent player, but a few plays a game where you scratch your head and wonder what he was thinking on that play. I guess this rules out taking a LB in this draft in the first 5 rounds. I wonder what this says about Hopper.

 

[mradtke66]

I guess this rules out taking a LB in this draft in the first 5 rounds. I wonder what this says about Hopper.

I don't think any of these things are immediately related. Quay and Cooper presumably pick up where they left off as the Nickel starters. McDuffie and Hopper probably start the season competing for the 3rd base linebacker and/or swapping week to week based on game planning reasons. Ideally, one of the two clear takes the reins as is the presumed started sooner rather than later.

As far as head count, if Wilson isn't re-signed, that's only 4 players under contract. 5 is typically the minimum for a base 4-3 team, so drafting one isn't out of the question at all.

 

[McKnowledge]

Completely unrealistic, but it's the offseason. What's the market is for Zack Baun returning to Wisconsin? Native of Brown Deer, UW alum, outside LB next to Cooper would be lethal, he can do it all.

 

[tynimiller]

Yeah sorry didn't start a thread, but did throw it on the Roster Tracker thread.

I wouldn't be shocked to see this is a deal that is really a one year type structure...like a 2025 - hit of 2M and a 2026 hit of 6M...depending on what the guarantee money is could easily be a one year deal.

 

[tynimiller]

Completely unrealistic, but it's the offseason. What's the market is for Zack Baun returning to Wisconsin? Native of Brown Deer, UW alum, outside LB next to Cooper would be lethal, he can do it all.

He is gonna get dang near if not over $10M a year deal....and has had like one SOLID year (this past one). If he even reverts 90% of the way back to regular Baun he is a middle of road LB

 

[tynimiller]

Packers, LB Isaiah McDuffie agree on new contract

The Packers are holding on to one of their own free agents.

www.nbcsports.com

He's coming back on a 2 year deal worth 8M and incentives that can get him up to 9.5.

I really like this move.

McDuffie is a liability in coverage, but he's a good LB3 for the base defense and a core special teamer. His ST snaps dropped off in 2024 because he was playing so much on defense, but that will reverse now that Walker and Cooper come in as the established starters.

He's still 25 years old, has made strides in GB, and the deal is highly affordable.

He is only a liability due to his physical inability but I love watching him because he knows football and if beat it is purely because he just wasn't made by God to move like Quay or others. Great depth signing and ST stud.

 

[gopkrs]

I'm surprised. We now know what an LB is supposed to do (Coooooop!). He is a decent player, but a few plays a game where you scratch your head and wonder what he was thinking on that play. I guess this rules out taking a LB in this draft in the first 5 rounds. I wonder what this says about Hopper.

If Hopper again plays great in pre season and isn't given a shot; I think we should fire all coaches over 35. Well, at least all coaches that are afraid to think outside the box

 

[tynimiller]

If Hopper again plays great in pre season and isn't given a shot; I think we should fire all coaches over 35. Well, at least all coaches that are afraid to think outside the box

Did I miss his good outings in Preseason?

He only played in two of them and I recall either three or four missed tackles (which for sure isn't characteristic of him) but still.

Not a knock on Hopper as I like him but I don't recall this preseason.

 

[AmishMafia]

Yeah sorry didn't start a thread, but did throw it on the Roster Tracker thread.

I wouldn't be shocked to see this is a deal that is really a one year type structure...like a 2025 - hit of 2M and a 2026 hit of 6M...depending on what the guarantee money is could easily be a one year deal.

That makes a lot more sense.

 

[tynimiller]

That makes a lot more sense.

Remember brother, don't just look at years and amount and divide it - the structure will tell it all.

I could see it being even less in 2025 and maybe like $1M dead money into the next...if he keeps progressing and balls out you gladly accept him at a say $6M hit, but if not you cut ties and done.

 

[AmishMafia]

Remember brother, don't just look at years and amount and divide it - the structure will tell it all.

I could see it being even less in 2025 and maybe like $1M dead money into the next...if he keeps progressing and balls out you gladly accept him at a say $6M hit, but if not you cut ties and done.

I dont expect much from him. Seeing him play next too Cooper makes me realize all the plays that could be made, but aren't. Not even close. Instincts and recognition are so far behind the rookie that I just cant imagine it happening.

 

[tynimiller]

I dont expect much from him. Seeing him play next too Cooper makes me realize all the plays that could be made, but aren't. Not even close. Instincts and recognition are so far behind the rookie that I just cant imagine it happening.

Disagree. McDuffie is an incredibly smart football player, but is inside a very physically limited body. He is IMO an excellent depth piece while our whole room are on rookie deals it is no biggy to pay him this money to be our back up and early down run stopper.

He isn't being signed to play over Cooper.

 

[gopkrs]

Did I miss his good outings in Preseason?

He only played in two of them and I recall either three or four missed tackles (which for sure isn't characteristic of him) but still.

Not a knock on Hopper as I like him but I don't recall this preseason.

I remember him playing some smashmouth. He likes to hit like a missle. We'll see if he's big enough to stay on the field.imho

 

[McKnowledge]

He is gonna get dang near if not over $10M a year deal....and has had like one SOLID year (this past one). If he even reverts 90% of the way back to regular Baun he is a middle of road LB

Context is important here.

He was drafted by the Saints to become a pass rush specialist as an undersized DE/LB hybrid in Dennis Allen defensive scheme. He was out of place from the get-go.

He'll turn 29 towards the end of the year.

A 3yr/30m contract (structure notwithstanding) might be interesting to look into.

His contract would end as Cooper is up for his rookie extension.

I personally want to see more players with ties to Wisconsin come back and help the Packers compete for a championship.

U of Wisconsin at the bare minimum produces solid intelligent players.

 

[tynimiller]

I remember him playing some smashmouth. He likes to hit like a missle. We'll see if he's big enough to stay on the field.imho

Oh for sure when he hits he hits hard!