Packers CB Sam Shields Signs RFA Tender
Cornerback Sam Shields has signed his one-year restricted free agent tender from the Green Bay Packers.
By Zach Kruse
Any worries about Sam Shields holding out were put to rest when the fourth-year cornerback signed his restricted free agent tender Monday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Packers CB Sam Shields just signed his RFA tender for $2.023 million.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 3, 2013
The one-year deal is worth $2.023 million for the 2013 season.
Now, the 25-year-old Shields can return to the practice field—the Packers have offseason minicamps starting Tuesday—while still working on the potential long-term deal he covets.
An undrafted free-agent signing out of the University of Miami in 2010, Shields has developed into an asset in the Packers secondary.
Over 10 regular-season games and eight starts in 2012, Shields intercepted three passes and defensed 10 others. Few cornerbacks in the NFL were better than Shields to end last season.
From Week 14 to the Division Round loss in San Francisco, Shields was targeted 32 times but allowed just 12 completions. He intercepted four passes and defended seven others. His six-game grade at Pro Football Focus was +14.0, or the best among cornerbacks during that time span.
#Packers CB Sam Shields from Week 14 on last season: 32 targets, 12 completions allowed, 4 INTs, 7 passes defensed. +14.0 @pff grade.
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) June 3, 2013
Overall, Shields finished 2012 as PFF's No. 6 overall cornerback (over all games).
Shields had skipped the start of the Packers offseason workout schedule in hopes of leveraging a long-term deal. Agent Drew Rosenhaus was in Green Bay Monday to help negotiate such an agreement, but nothing came of his meeting with Packers management. The two sides will likely continue working on a deal that keeps Shields in Green Bay past 2013.
Shields would become an unrestricted free agent next spring if no deal is struck before now and then.
Working against Shields is the fact that the Packers are deeper at cornerback than arguably any other position. He may need to win a starting job and then play well next season before the Packers are ready to re-open the bank on a new deal.
Shields has nine interceptions over three NFL seasons in Green Bay.
Zach Kruse is a 24-year-old sports writer who contributes to Cheesehead TV, Bleacher Report and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He also covers prep sports for the Dunn Co. News. You can reach him on Twitter @zachkruse2 or by email at [email protected].
Comments (11)
June 03, 2013 at 04:45 pm
Swell.
June 03, 2013 at 06:46 pm
Who do you think can beat him out of a job? House can't stay on the field.
June 03, 2013 at 07:06 pm
Casey looked good against the slot last year he could challenge him... I think that we need at least 3 good DBs in the NFL though.
June 03, 2013 at 09:03 pm
Haysard is good in the slot but won't beat out Shields as a starter and outside.
Like I said Shields will sign the tender and get a long term contract. All the angst was for nothing!
June 03, 2013 at 09:42 pm
Disappointed in a one yr tender.
Sheids, the biggest DB play maker on the team!
Period!
TT, Don't F^%k this up!
June 03, 2013 at 09:46 pm
!!!!!!!When healthy!! I might add!
June 03, 2013 at 11:23 pm
Tramon will have a bounce back solid year. Heyward has too good of nose not to make his fair share of plays. House will be the consenses best CB in the nfc north by the end of 2013. I have my doubts about shields & rajis attitude and complacency. But even with good depth at the corner position, sam shields is the next and only one in line for an extension this year. U can't have too many pass defenders in this league. The corner position like the rb position is set for years to come. Dejuan harris is the best rb on the team. Alex may be a close 2nd.
June 04, 2013 at 07:23 am
Alex Green close 2nd at RB? He might not make the team. Tramon bouncing back? I'll believe it when I see it. House best CB in the North? WhatchutalkingboutWillis?
June 04, 2013 at 09:02 am
+1
June 04, 2013 at 08:23 am
Stroh, I too think a longer term deal will get done as I think quite highly of Shields. Just wondering if maybe Rosenhaus has him with a case of "Revis-brain". If Shields lives up to his potential, he could be mentioned with the top CB's in the league and will be asking that as UFA. I just think that a 3-4 gets security; but Flaccco did pretty good for himself.
June 04, 2013 at 08:28 am
I can kind of see Shields wanting a shorter contract of 3 or 4 years, Nelson and J Jones both signed for 3 yrs. That would give Shields the ability to hit FA again at age 28 and get another big py day. I'm guessing the Packers have the edge right now and hope they can get him for a 4 or preferreably 5 yrs deal.