Packers retain DE Fadol Brown on one-year deal
-- The jury is still out on the impact the Green Bay Packers will have on free agency, but for now, they focused on retaining one of their own.
Michael Cohen of The Athletic reported Wednesday that the team will be re-signing free agent defensive lineman Fadol Brown, adding another body to the Packers' rotating defensive front.
#Packers have signed DE Fadol Brown to a 1-year extension, according to a source. Brown was scheduled to become an exclusive rights free agent, but the two sides agreed to a short-term deal instead.
— Michael Cohen (@Michael_Cohen13) March 7, 2019
Brown, 25, was originally claimed off of waivers from the Oakland Raiders in December, playing the final four games of the season and showing promise in critical moments in the Packers' loss to the Chicago Bears in week 15.
After going undrafted in 2017 before the Raiders signed him, Brown spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad.
Brown was one of seven exclusive rights free agents for the Packers entering this offseason. By definition, an exclusive rights free agent (ERFA) is a player whose contract has expired and has three or fewer accrued seasons in the league. The Packers have leverage in these situations to dish out and negotiate a contract before the deadline for doing so, or else the player hits the market as an unrestricted free agent.
Other ERFAs for the Packers include offensive linemen Lucas Patrick and Justin McCray, edge rusher Reggie Gilbert, tight end Robert Tonyan Jr. and wide receiver Jake Kumerow.
Inking Brown to a one-year deal presumably has no implications on the Packers' plans in free agency. If anything, it could indicate the direction the Packers will travel in free agency, emphasizing a focus on their pass rush.
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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (29)
dblbogey
March 06, 2019 at 10:05 pm
And apparently, nobody much cares.
GBPDAN1
March 07, 2019 at 01:47 am
Riveting
JonathanSpader
March 07, 2019 at 02:13 am
It's the dead season for all of the NFL. Zachary is reporting what's happening to the Packers and a background on a player 99% of us haven't heard of. The way I was raised if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all. It's a free website and Zachary is reporting the Packer news lighten up & cut him some slack. Instead buy a CHTV draft guide and support the site you spend so much time on.
Coldworld
March 07, 2019 at 06:20 am
Actually this is good news. Brown showed some promise in my eyes, seems the team agreed. Always good to find a player with potential this way.
Hopefully we will see Tonyan and Kumerow returning as well.
Coldworld
March 07, 2019 at 06:22 am
It will be interesting to see what the team does with the likes of Patrick, Pankey and particularly Gilbert given that the team is rumored to be all out on acquiring rushing talent.
jannesbjornson
March 07, 2019 at 11:38 am
Fadol showed effort and looks like a football player Good move. As stated above, if you don't even know the Green bay roaster stay off the forum.
jannesbjornson
March 07, 2019 at 11:38 am
Fadol showed effort and looks like a football player Good move. As stated above, if you don't even know the Green bay roaster stay off the forum.
Skip greenBayless
March 07, 2019 at 01:12 pm
Agreed Coldworld. Fadol showed some promise and he's young. KGB was let go at one time and nobody picked him up. He ended up GB's all time sack leader. You never know with some of these young guys. Sometimes all they need is a single opportunity. I like this move.
Dash
GBPDAN1
March 07, 2019 at 03:18 am
Thanks for the lecture, JS. I deserved it. Was just goofing around. I will definitely make up for it by buying the CHTV draft guide. ( I was going to anyway, can't wait for the draft this year)
JonathanSpader
March 07, 2019 at 04:13 am
Can't wait for the draft having 10 picks and 2 in the 1st round. Wasn't trying to be preachy just feels like CHTV has gotten really negative since the Packers had 2 losing seasons.
TKWorldWide
March 07, 2019 at 05:15 am
Are you positive that CHTV has gotten negative?
(My blood type is my life motto: Be Positive.)
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
March 07, 2019 at 08:54 am
LOL!
WinUSA
March 07, 2019 at 06:54 am
Negativity trumps chauvinism. 2018 better wake up some fans to the fact that the Packers are on the ropes in the 10th round of a 12 round bout. There a so many holes in the dyke .... too many for only having two hands. QB besides a couple of out of this world plays had a season to forget. Injuries, injuries, injuries, have proven the DEPTH of this team is on life support. If the Packers could hit on 3 starters in the draft, pick up a 1st tier free agent and 2 second year free agents, picked up 2 CRUSHERS for special teams, they might be up to the Browns’ level.
The CHTV staff is at least honest in their reporting. Thru honest and painful analysis comes positive change. That’s what a true Packer must realize or have your hearts broken. 2019 is going to be a rebuilding year.
LambeauPlain
March 07, 2019 at 08:00 am
I simply believe the Pack is very close to being the favorite in the North and playoff bound again.
The trip from worst to first in the NFL is a short journey. The major hole Gutey needs to backfill is TTs 2015 disastrous draft. Only Ryan remains....with his repaired ACL.
Gutey’s 2018 draft helped fill that hole....he can level the field with this draft and a few choice FAs.
I have huge hopes for Pettine’s D. And we have #12. A top D and elite QB are almost a lock for the playoffs.
JonathanSpader
March 07, 2019 at 12:12 pm
Win USA 2017 was a wakeup call for the Packers when Rodgers went down. 2018 confirmed what we saw in 2017. That resulted in MM's firing and a lot of changes to the coaching staff. Gute aggressively traded away players to collect draft picks. He was constantly churning over the bottom of the roster.
As for being up to the Browns level who cares? Browns are AFC. I want the Packers to pass the Bears. I want them to stay ahead of the Vikings. I'm not worried about Detroit. I'm fine with having my heart broken by the Packers it's part of being a fan. When/if the Packers have a good 2019 season it makes it that much better. Gute did a great job of providing the Packers the necessary tools to rebuild in 2019.
GBPDAN1
March 07, 2019 at 11:56 am
I agree JS. I love this site and my attempt at a joke was a bad decision. No disrespect towards the CHTV team or any of my Packers brotherhood who visit the site.
I'm extremely excited regarding this year's draft. Picking this high in every round- and an extra first rd- is rare for us. I really feel that we will land talent to get us to the next level (plus FA).
Found out today that my brother is flying out for the draft weekend. We were born in Milwaukee and grew up in the UP.
carlos
March 07, 2019 at 07:59 am
See how nice everyone is here. We must all be Packer fans. lol
Thegreatreynoldo
March 07, 2019 at 04:25 am
I don't perceive any difference in effect between tendering Fadol as an ERFA and signing this one-year deal.
It might just be easier. Maybe Fadol Brown happened to be in GB and just signed it right away.
Coldworld
March 07, 2019 at 07:39 am
They didn’t have to do either. It just speaks to the fact that they are intrigued about him.
LeotisHarris
March 07, 2019 at 08:37 am
Is this another of your euphemisms, Tgr? Because to me, "tendering Fadol" sounds kind of dirty. :)
Lare
March 07, 2019 at 06:13 am
Good signing for backup depth on the defensive line, Brown made a few good plays towards the end of last season.
Every team has players like Brown on their roster, it helps make up for the players like Perry, Matthews & Cobb that are paid well above what their production dictates.
Coldworld
March 07, 2019 at 06:24 am
In salary cap world, cheap young players who may have an upside and can back up or spell starters are gold dust. Problem is finding one’s who are more than just cheap and clearing those out.
Since'61
March 07, 2019 at 06:15 am
Who? Thanks, Since ‘61
stockholder
March 07, 2019 at 07:09 am
Good. Like him better then Wilkerson.
LambeauPlain
March 07, 2019 at 08:26 am
I was fairly certain the Pack would keep Brown around for another year.
He is an intriguing prospect. Guys 6’4” and 285 lbs who run a 4.9 40 and can jump 35 inches who was a college honor roll student don’t grown on trees.
He is what the Packer D needs....more quality depth to go along with more top shelf starters.
Clark, Daniels, Lowrey, a re-signed Wilkerson, Lancaster, Brown, and wild cards Looney and Adams (who needs to step up) would make up the strongest position groups on the Pack.
Imagine if they then drafted Oliver or Gary. Yikes!
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
March 07, 2019 at 08:56 am
Is he a special teams guy? Upside there?
TheBigCheeze
March 07, 2019 at 09:19 am
the Packers improved immensely just by canning McCarthy.......
Leatherhead
March 07, 2019 at 09:34 am
That remains to be seen.
Leatherhead
March 07, 2019 at 09:33 am
I think he’s practice squad eligible.