NFL Transactions: February 8, 2017

Packers Release CB Sam Shields

Sam Shields is a good enough player when healthy, but with Shields that is pretty much always the catch. The Packers had signed Shields to a pretty ambitious $9 million a year contract on the eve of free agency back in 2014, and for the first year of the deal it paid off as Shields did make the Pro Bowl, but overall spent too much time on the sideline to justify him coming back at a $9 million salary with close to a $12 million cap charge. Over the first three years of Shields 4 year contract he missed a total of 21 games.

Much like the release of James Starks yesterday I don’t think this shuts the door on Shields returning but he’ll first get a chance to see if he has any reasonable sized market outside of Green Bay. Shields ranked 5th on our list of likely cuts at corner. The Packers will create $8.53 million in cap space with his release.

Browns Release Tramon Williams

Speaking of former Packers cornerbacks, the Browns officially released veteran corner Tramon Williams who was in the final year of his three year contract signed in 2015. The signing of Williams to a $7 million a year contract at the age of 32 made little sense when it was signed, but the Browns have had so many front office changes through the years it has been hard to see any logic in anything they have done.

Not surprisingly Williams was not that effective and their defense this year was atrocious. Williams release saves the Browns $6.9 million on the salary cap. Williams was our number 1 pick for likely cuts at cornerback.

Browns Release Josh McCown

I was surprised that the Browns were unable to spin McCown into a late draft pick last season but they decided to roll the dice on him as a backup for the always injured RG3 which sounded good in theory until you realized McCown is also a big injury risk. McCown hasn’t played in more than 11 games since 2004 and his tenure with the Browns will end with a 1-10 record as a starter in two years with the team.

McCown should be able to pick up with a team as a backup QB and he is a good fit for a team that needs someone to play a half in a relief effort or start a game or two, but its doubtful he’ll be brought in to compete for a starting job. McCown was number 6 on our list of likely QB cuts.

Eagles Cut Leodis McKelvin

The Eagles got into the act today with the release of disappointing cornerback Leodis McKelvin. It was a low risk contract on a former first round draft pick, but more often than not McKelvin found himself on the wrong end of too many plays. The Eagles will pick up $3.2 million in cap room. McKelvin was not on our cut list and Im not exactly sure how I missed him.