GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers had every chance to re-sign Micah Hyde during this past season. The defensive back and his agent told the team that they’d be open to a contract extension.
It didn’t happen and as Hyde cleaned out his locker this week after Sunday’s season-ending loss to the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game, his future remained very much in doubt.
“I love this place,” Hyde said. “The rest is out of my control. I’ve tried to let it be known that I would love to stay here. If the other end doesn’t match up, there’s nothing I can do.”
Hyde is one of six pending free agents on defense, and he made one of the best cases to be re-signed. The former fifth-round pick was one of the Packers’ most dependable and most versatile players in a secondary ravaged by injuries. Hyde played in all 19 games, although he couldn’t finish the NFC title game because of a shoulder injury that is not expected to require surgery.
He played well down the stretch, with four interceptions in the last seven games -- including a key pick of Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in the divisional-round playoff win.
“Get him back,” Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix said. “He’s a great player, man. He’s available all of the time. He competes. He can play all positions. I’ve never seen him complain, quit, give up. His effort is unbelievable. He’s very talented, a guy that I watch. Since I’ve been here, it’s a guy that I had to compete with in order to get this starting spot that I have now, and it’s still amazing to see him play each and every week. I would definitely love him back.”
Here’s a look at the Packers’ free agents-to-be on defense. Previously, we looked at the players on offense with expiring contracts.
Hyde: Last offseason, the Packers let cornerback Casey Hayward leave in free agency. After signing a three-year, $15.3 million contract with the San Diego Chargers, Hayward led the NFL with seven interceptions and made his first Pro Bowl. The open market could bring Hyde a contract similar to Hayward’s $5.1 million per year average. Would the Packers be willing to pay that price or do they plan to overhaul their secondary this offseason? 2016 pay: $1.671 million base salary, no bonus.
Julius Peppers: The 37-year-old said he believes he can play at least one more season, but he isn’t sure if he will. He was a part-time player for most of the year and after a slow start and several games in which he made little impact, he still finished with 8.5 sacks – which was second on the team. If the Packers did bring him back, it would be at a much lower price. 2016 pay: $8 million in base salary and bonuses.
Nick Perry: After declining the fifth-year option on the former first-round pick, the Packers signed Perry to a one-year, $5 million prove-it-type contract. He responded with his best season (a team-high 12 sacks, including playoffs) despite missing two games with a broken hand. It certainly won’t be cheap to re-sign him. 2016 pay: $4.875 million in base salary and bonuses (missed out on $125,000 in weekly roster bonuses because of hand injury).
Datone Jones: Like they did with Perry, the Packers did not pick up Jones’ fifth-year option last offseason. He could return on a one-year deal like Perry did last year, but it won’t be for the $5 million Perry received. The former first-round pick hasn't blossomed into a consistent playmaker or even a full-time player. 2016 pay: $1,457,264 in base salary and bonuses.
Jayrone Elliott (restricted free agent): The former undrafted free agent has blossomed into one of the team’s top-special teams players. The Packers could bring back the outside linebacker with the low RFA tender. 2016 pay: $600,000
Jordan Tripp (restricted free agent): Signed in Week 15 after he was released by the Seahawks, the linebacker appeared only on special teams. Like Elliott, he could be brought back for the low tender or not tendered at all and re-signed for the minimum. 2016 pay: $105,882 (prorated portion of $600,000 season salary).