I don't see bringing back Clay as any more viable than bringing in Daniels; their time as Packers has IMHO passed. In the NFL you have to stay younger and develop players. As to Gary, we shall see what role the Packers have in mind for him (if anyone plays football this year. Players testing positive in various soccer leagues recently doesn't bode well for any sports to resume and we'll see how this "re-opening" without a central plan for states affects the spread of Covid-19.) I'd like to believe that we would see Gary really coming on this year. Clay and Daniels are going backwards, not forwards, and I don't see Gute thinking that way.

While I agree with the headline premise that GB has better options than Mike Daniels, I disagree with the rest of the article. There will be plenty of snaps (600+) at OLB for Gary given the departure of Fackrell and there is no one else behind Gary ready for those snaps. For the money it would cost to pick up Clay Matthews I would much rather see the Packers pick up a veteran IDL run stuffer to replace Lancaster in the starting line-up on DL.

The better option was Michael Pierce a 360 pound run stuffer but the Vikings in cap hell were able to sign him . another one that got away

The Packer's ship has sailed on both Matthews and Daniels. I would not want either of them back, no matter how cheaply it could be done. Gary seems to be the fit on the D line, now. He needs to prove he belongs there. Coaches, however, limited his playing time, so we have not seen his full potential, yet, and there lies our doubts.

I am putting Gary into the Damarious Randall/Datone Jones/Nick Perry category of 1st RD draft picks. Lots of potential and athletic measurables, being over-drafted to play a position they didn't play in college. Let's hope for better results, but JMHO Gary will always be the guy who shows flashes but never puts it all together.

Did anyone notice Perry wasn't signed/didn't play last season? I don't recall even seeing him trying out fo any teams. Makes you wonder if other teams knew to stay away or (my hunch) he really didn't like playing football, made his money, was cotnent and walked away from the game.

The packers should do all they can to develop players. But lets face facts. They just don't have the size or the speed to get the job done. I guess the mind is willing but the body weak. The bigger the OL, the more we have trouble. Taking plays off never works. But really isn't it obvious how fast Clark is, compared to everyone else on that line? I believe our guys OVER achieve. They just don't get the job done. A splash play here or there and their done for the game. If only they could move and TACKLE. I believe the packers need to move Clark over. If we have a reggie white it's him. Its the prime Time Beef show Here. Another 350 pound Nt must be found. I believe the packers must build this DL with Nose Tackles. Until they do that their No Match for any big OL. So No Daniels is not what we need. We need Taller,Bigger and faster. The eye Ball test! These guys just don't look it. And it shows.

Come on now David, the Packers didn’t draft Gary to be a 290-300 pound D Lineman. They drafted him and see him as an elite edge OLB. There are plenty of veteran two down fat boyz that can be had for a song during training camp cuts.

Like it or not the Packers have chosen to build the defense to be disruptive with a strong pass rush and great corners. Also as in years past the defense works much better when the Packers have the lead than the other way around. Just think how much different the Championship game would have been had the Packers jumped out to a 14 point lead and Jimmy G had to bring the 49ers back? Every team has flaws and from the Packers obvious lack of interest in a veteran like Snacks Harrison or a linebacker like Queen, it shows the GM isn’t freaking out about it either.

The Packers have a plan and force feeding Gary to put him on the D line is not why they drafted him at #12.
They need “free range Gary rushing the passer because it’s the most important position on the front seven. They don’t need overstuffed Gary doing nothing but plugging the run. Fat Boyz who are run pluggers are a dime a dozen.

The Packers run defense wasn’t great I agree but let’s not all freak out thinking a guy like snacks or Daniels and especially Clay Mathews is anything but a band aide.

I’ll say it again, Packers defense top 10.

That is all...

I wasn't super impressed with Matthews in his last couple years with the Packers. It seemed like he often tried to go high or sometimes launched himself at a QB or RB, going for the highlight reel sack/tackle -- or "sackle"-- and players would just duck under that or slip around it. Other times, if he fell down in the backfield, he'd roll around trying sort of subtly to trip the QB. In those later years, he was more about his stats and his hair than the team. In spite of all that, he's still a talented guy who brings value to a team, but I think a Packers reunion would not work out well for either side. Ditto for Daniels, whose play has declined due to injuries, etc. It also sounds like Daniels wasn't always a great locker room presence for the team.

Matthews is the best inside linebacker we've had in many years. That was five years ago though. For veteran minimum and understanding that he's here to play disciplined ILB, focusing on stopping the run first, I say bring him in for depth. Biggest obstacle is his inability to play special teams.

We moved on from Daniels and CM3, let’s keep it that way. As for Gary I would not move him to the DL. We need speed in our pass rush and Gary has speed.

I would move Gary and Z Smith to inside pass rush depending on the opponent and down and distance. Z Smith came on inside pass rush on numerous plays last season to generate an interior pass rush. We could have the Smiths, Gary and Kersey on the field together. The Smiths and Gary can rush the passer while Kersey covers or spies the QB if we are playing against a running QB.

Gary can rush from ILB or OLB, same for Z. Smith. Pettine can create numerous packages with the players he currently has, especially if Gary continues to develop as expected/hoped. Remember he came out as a junior so he has faced a huge learning curve. He has the physical tools. It’s up to our coaches to get him to play effectively in the NFL. Thanks, Since ‘61

Can CHTV ban any more articles based on returns of Daniels or Matthews to GB? Please!

that maybe true but there are few that have integrity , team leadership, and heart then Daniel's

Gary has the size( maybe add a few lbs) and speed to be a disruptive DE ,but lacks the bend and quickness for a OLB( maybe on run D). Snacks would be a better option because Matthews would take snaps away from a developing Gary. However, I agree with some previous comments about viable options being available preseason and during.

The Packers have standards and as a “small market” team, overpaying for players like Mathews and Daniels based on what they were 5 years ago instead of what they are now is money down the toilet.

Remember in these uncertain times there is no way to know if there will even be fans in the stands, concessions sales etc and with many folks unemployed I imagine pro shop sales will suffer greatly also.

It is smart for the Packers to be fiscally conservative right now and they can always plug a few holes later on with mid level veteran camp cuts when the NFL & coronavirus landscape clears up a bit.

the Packers ....have...a...plan...

Trust the process

That is all...

"a reunion in Green Bay would be nothing more than a feel good story that would not translate to much production on the football field."-----thank you so much for that prognostication, Nostradamus.....and now, for your next feat....please give us this week's winning lottery numbers......

My thinking is the GB defense wants/needs those Howard Green type run stoppers. Guys that are 340 lb range and it takes two to move. That is NOT who they draft or pick up. The Pack seems to be drafting/picking up guys in the 290# range with speed and movement skills. Only reason would be for quickness and putting pressure on passers. So if Daniels is healthy....would Green Bay want him or the guy behind door number two-like Snacks Harrison? I think but don't know that the Packers are moving to a Dline that can put pressure on the QB and not necessary be dedicated to stopping the run.
I may be dead wrong and that circumstances have dictated the players they have selected. I'm also wondering if these skills of movement have an advantage when defending the run? In HS and college, many teams use movement by their Dline to defend against the run. The TCU HC has perfected it to a point where pro coaches even call and visit to see how he does it. I just assumed (hate that word, but have to use it) in the pros...everyone can move esp. on the oline and negate the disruption of the slants and quick charges into the gap.
Conclusion is I have no earthly idea what the Packers are thinking...but I agree with Pettine on one important item, the pass will kill you faster then the run!

Gary wouldn't have to pick up 25 lbs. to reach Mike Daniels' playing weight, but I still don't think that would be the right answer.

The list of talented passers this defense will face this year is troubling. I am sorry but the run D does not keep me up at night.
Facing the likes of:
Stafford (2)
Watson
Wentz
Rivers
Brees
Brady
Ryan
That’s not counting Cousins (2) and Jimmy G and possibly Foles?
Fellas these guys can hurt yah and have before!

No to Daniels and Clay there is reason they were let go and it wasn't all about money. Expecting an option better than Daniels and those currently on the roster will be about the money though, the only big investment in DL will be Clark.

No Daniels. No Matthews. No to bulking up Gary.

We had a very good pass defense last year and we will again this year. A combination of pressure and coverage that was good last year and should be good this year.

I still think we’ll make a move for a DE.

Not likely the Packers will be interested in either Mathews or Daniels - as both are well past their Best Before dates. The Packers usually like to shop fresh(er). This also includes "Snacks" Harrison - who is also on the wrong side of 30. Besides I worry about an aging, slowing, big boy - with the nickname "Snacks."

In retrospect, only 1/3 of the D-Line was of a starting quality - Kenny Clark. Lowry was underwhelming and certainly did not play to his new contract. And Lancaster was often not up to the the challenge. So a renovation is probably in the works. First, to relegate Lancaster to the B-pool (bench). Then a possible promotion for the improving Keke. Lowry will probably start again at DE - largely by default - but Keke may prove to be the better option as the season progresses (at least I hope so). As for the interior, I think we can almost write-off Adams, who at B-U-S, is just only letter short of being a complete BUST. It appears that auditions for the interior positions will be completely open - consisting of Gutekunst Dollar Store purchases (Willis and Hester) free agents, street free agents, cut-down players etc. Thus forming an ongoing work-in-progress for the Coach and GM.

As for planting Gary on the D-line - this is not going to happen - at least not for this year. The Packers did not spend an entire year fitting and training Gary for the OLB position - just to suddenly re-tool him to play on the D-line. Certainly not before giving him an entire season and scheduling him for a lot of play time as an OLB.

No to Daniels and even if we wanted to bring Clay back I don’t think he would for the money and number of snaps we would offer him. I don’t wish I’ll of Gary but other than Peppers who played the elephant role for us and was effective? Aaron Kampman was a stud 4-3 DE, third in sacks in the NFL over a three year period, and was made a OLB when we switched to the 3-4. It ruined his career and now we expect Gary to make that transition from college to the NFL. He may do well but quit drafting players and changing their positions after they spent the last few years learning that position. It’s very rare for that to succeed. You can point to Shields but WR/DB are same skill sets but some of them can catch a ball and some struggle to. There are rare instances of success but you don’t hang your hat on such low percentages.

Rashan Gary 6'5" 277 lbs as per Packers.com

Aaron Donald 6'1" 284 lbs

Just put Gary on the field more, use him like Pettine did ZSmith last year moving inside and outside.

Let his athleticism show through his training/coaching and just watch out!

Gary does not need any more weight even if his snaps with his hand in the dirt increase dramatically.

He was never, is not now and never will be a nose tackle. Just let the man express himself in a multiple scheme, he will be fine and productive.

I still think Daniels is better than all but Clark. He has had a tough time getting healthy. When I watch Matthews I'm reminded of the Tasmanian Devil cartoon spinning moving flying around into and out of a play nearly as fast as he got there from his momentum. The guy gives great effort but he is not a pro bowler for many years now. He could relief our OLB's but I'm sure he doesn't want what Gute would pay him. Since Gute didn't do the sensible thing and cut or trade Linsley and Taylor to relief our cap and pick up DL help at NT and DT. I can only see with the addition of a Defensive coach with coordinator experience, Gute is making Pettine coach what he has at a much more scrutinized level to improve our DL from within. Yea, got to say I'm not expecting much but Pettine leaving next year. His whole scheme of multiple in order to disguise what he's doing really makes me wonder what the heck he is doing???Put players out there who know what they are doing instead of confusing the heck out of everyone including your own guys.

Call me crazy but wouldn't picking up a big run stuffer make everything easier on all the guys that we're hoping to step up and make some jump.