Once a 49er, now a Packer. On Wednesday, just five days after getting cut by the 49ers, veteran linebacker Ahmad Brooks signed a contract with the Packers, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The deal is reportedly a one-year contract with a base salary of $3.5 million that can reach $5 million.
The #Packers are signing LB Ahmad Brooks to a 1-year deal that can be worth up to $5M, source said. Another(!) GB free agent signing coming.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 30, 2017
Brooks, 33, is still a capable, if not dominant linebacker. From 2009-16, he notched 264 tackles, 51.5 sacks, and three interceptions. In the playoffs for the 49ers, he recorded 6.5 sacks, including 4.5 during the 2013 postseason alone. Last year, he played in all 16 games, racking up 41 tackles and six sacks. He can still play and help the Packers.
#Packers LB coach Winston Moss went in-depth on what Ahmad Brooks would give the roster. His full answer. pic.twitter.com/fteeTH0yl6
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) August 29, 2017
He'll help the Packers because their linebacker corps is banged up. Clay Matthews appeared in 12 games last year and he suffered some sort of injury on Saturday. Nick Perry also left Saturday's game with an ankle injury. So did Jayrone Elliott due to back spasms. And rookie Vince Biegel is still stuck on the PUP list.
The Packers have to be hoping that the signing of Brooks works out like their prior signing of Julius Peppers. Brooks is in no ways the same caliber of player as Peppers, but the Packers just need the aging Brooks to perform like he has during the past several seasons. At this point, they'll gladly take a dependable veteran linebacker.
