The Green Bay Packers are not known for making splashes in free agency late in the offseason, but that is exactly what they did this year. De’Vondre Campbell is an extremely underrated linebacker and decided to sign with the team on a one-year deal. While the move may not be receiving a ton of hype nationally, the Packers are extremely happy to be able to welcome him to the team.
Campbell is a veteran linebacker who is expected by many to come in and compete for a starting job right off the bat. After the Packers moved on from Christian Kirksey early this offseason, Brian Gutekunst knew he wanted to add a more veteran presence to the middle of the defense. Green Bay could not have gotten a better veteran.
With training camp right around the corner, Campbell took some time to speak out about joining the Packers.
“I’ve really been…waiting for the right opportunity and the right opportunity came, and I jumped on it.”
It’s a short and sweet quote, but one that should excite Packers’ fans. Campbell obviously wanted to be a part of what Green Bay is building. And quite frankly, who would not want to join a team who has been to back-to-back NFC Championship Games and is looking to take the next step into the Super Bowl?
Last season with the Arizona Cardinals, Campbell racked up 99 total tackles to go along with two sacks, one forced fumble, and three defended passes. In his five-year NFL career thus far, he has totaled 462 tackles, 7.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, three interceptions, and 19 defended passes.
Campbell is the kind of linebacker who the Packers can rely to help against the run and not be a total weakness against the pass. He can drop into coverage when needed. That is something that the Packers have been missing.
At 27 years of age, this is a great opportunity for De’Vondre Campbell. If he comes out and makes a huge difference for the Packers, they could opt to re-sign him to a more lucrative deal. Green Bay has been needing a standout linebacker to lead the middle of their defense for years and Campbell could end up being that guy.
Expect to see him come out looking to prove a point this season. Green Bay may have signed him late in the offseason, but he could end up being a massive steal for the Packers.
