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!

 

[tynimiller]

yup structure released, essentially a $3m this year and $5m next year but 3.75 roughly saved if released after this year.

It’s a glorified one year deal that could be two if McDuffie does a lot this season some how.

 

[Wraith09]

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.

They should replace him with a player from the draft who gets to the ball faster. There are better linebackers in this draft. He’s late to the ball. He’s just another guy.

 

[Dantés]

They should replace him with a player from the draft who gets to the ball faster. There are better linebackers in this draft. He’s late to the ball. He’s just another guy.

Linebacker is a notoriously slow developing position.

McDuffie in 2025 will likely be better than every rookie linebacker in the league.

 

[Wraith09]

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.

Packers could replace him and add linebackers in this draft that can play better than McD and fill ST needs. What they did last year with Copper is good, but I don’t see Hopper being a solid player any time soon.

 

[Wraith09]

Linebacker is a notoriously slow developing position.

McDuffie in 2025 will likely be better than every rookie linebacker in the league.

Yeah, it took Coop so long to develop. How many years does it take? Here’s some players. Jihaad Campbell, Demetrius Knight Jr.,Cody Simon, Chris Paul, Jalen McLeod and Teddye Buchanan.

 

[tynimiller]

Packers could replace him and add linebackers in this draft that can play better than McD and fill ST needs. What they did last year with Copper is good, but I don’t see Hopper being a solid player any time soon.

The LB was down to three, and McDuffie stabilizes the group. If we draft a highly athletic LB that proves he can absorb the scheme and speed of the next level of course McDuffie will likely be even more of a reserve. His structure was essentially a one year deal if needed.

I think many are underestimating McDuffie to be a non-NFL level player, he’s minimum proven he belongs. He just simply isn’t an elite talent or a guy that likely many desire to have start but know he can handle it as he has shown and we could in a pinch.

 

[Dantés]

Yeah, it took Coop so long to develop. How many years does it take? Here’s some players. Jihaad Campbell, Demetrius Knight Jr.,Cody Simon, Chris Paul, Jalen McLeod and Teddye Buchanan.

Even he was behind McDuffie for the first half of the season.

It would be deranged to spend a high pick on another off-ball linebacker in the dubious attempt to upgrade the LB3.

 

[Wraith09]

The LB was down to three, and McDuffie stabilizes the group. If we draft a highly athletic LB that proves he can absorb the scheme and speed of the next level of course McDuffie will likely be even more of a reserve. His structure was essentially a one year deal if needed.

I think many are underestimating McDuffie to be a non-NFL level player, he’s minimum proven he belongs. He just simply isn’t an elite talent or a guy that likely many desire to have start but know he can handle it as he has shown and we could in a pinch.

Coop out stated him in four starts in his first year. More solo tackles and more sacks in fewer snaps played than McD last year. McD is credited with starts in all 17 games. McD had 3 years experience going into last season and statistically was outplayed by Coop. If the Packers drafted players with Coops ability in the first, they would be a defensive powerhouse. Instead they employ their supernatural abilities to project the abilities of the players they draft in the first after they’ve “developed” a player. I have very limited resources and I can do better than they do. My only guess as to why the Packers draft the way they do in the first is old ways of thinking, misguided arrogance from the Rodgers years and stubbornness. I value production, ability and athleticism. I had Coop, Lloyd, Bullard, Pratt and King on my list last year. Morgan was not on my list.

 

[OldSchool101]

I’m not sure I want to attempt to respond to all that but I will say my very first impression is McDuffie contract was a little on the high side. I know I know this will probably be taken as a slight on McDuffie. It’s really not I like McDuff however I see a contract like Eric Wilson and he’s a more complete player (yes I realize he’s older but I’d highly doubt he couldn’t play at a high level 1 maybe 2 more years.
Had I put cash down and guessed at an Isaiah contract I would’ve said something like 3yr/$8.5Mil but a nice 50% type guar. I completely understand that each season brings an elevated pay scale though. Isaiah has earned it and they obviously really liked him.