Notes: Hawk not totally out of the picture.
Linebacker could return if team needs depth
Green Bay — The Green Bay Packers appear bound and determined to improve at inside linebacker with different players next season.
Nevertheless, it would be incorrect to think that A.J.
Hawk is totally out of the picture.
A source familiar with the situation said the team left the door open for his possible return after releasing him Feb. 25.
Probably the only scenario for a return by Hawk would be if the Packers weren’t satisfied with their depth at inside linebacker in early May after veteran free agency, the draft and college free agency.
Hawk, 31, intends to play at least another season. He underwent ankle surgery in early February for an injury that apparently affected him for a significant portion of the season. However, he wasn’t listed on the injury report all season.
The Packers are counting $1.6 million against their salary cap for Hawk. His minimum base salary as a nineyear veteran would be $870,000.
“You could probably squeeze another year out of A.J. as a starter,” an executive in personnel for an NFC team said last week. “He’s probably not what he once was. I don’t see the thirddown nickel value in him anymore.”
More promising: The chance that nose tackle Letroy Guion will be back in a Packers uniform has increased after he agreed to a deferred prosecution deal resulting in probation, his attorney confirmed Wednesday.
If Guion completes his probation, attorney Robert Rush said, felony firearm and marijuana possession charges against him will be dropped and he will have a clean record. Rush expects the agreement to be signed within the next two weeks.
On Feb. 3, Guion was arrested in his hometown of Starke, Fla., with 357 grams of marijuana, a registered (unloaded) gun and $190,028.81 in cash.
News of the deferred prosecution was first reported by ESPN.com.
Still, it should be noted that the state attorney’s office in Florida says they have yet to officially enter any agreement with Guion, per spokesman Darry Lloyd.
“We have formally charged Guion with Possession of Cannabis more than 20 grams,” Lloyd wrote in an email.
Rush said the seizure of Guion’s 2015 Dodge Ram truck and the money is a separate civil case. Those remain in police custody after a court ruled that police had probable cause.
“There was no allegation that he was selling (marijuana),” Rush said. “My intent is to work everything out and get everything resolved.
“I’m really impressed with how nice of a young man he is. I want to get him back to Green Bay exciting the fans.”
Guion, 27, still could be punished by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell under the personal conduct policy. Last month, coach Mike
McCarthy indicated he wanted Guion back pending resolution of his legal troubles. Guion will become an unrestricted free agent Tuesday.
“He signed a one-year deal ($985,000) and took care of his business,” a personnel man for an AFC team said. “He was just a few weeks away from getting a nice pay day. The impact of the offthe-field issue certainly resonates on his market.
“That was a good signing for the Packers. He played well this season. I see him as a low-end starter.
“If I was Green Bay I’d say, ‘Look. Go to free agency. Don’t do anything. We’re going to let this process run its course and stay in touch.’”
New contract: Linebacker Brad Jones’ two-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles was worth $2.85 million. The Packers cut him Feb. 20.
Jones received a $500,000 signing bonus, base salaries of $850,000 this year and $1.4 million in 2016, and a $50,000 workout bonus each year.
He continues to count $1 million against the Packers’ salary cap.