The Green Bay Packers have announced that they have cut defensive lineman Mike Daniels on Wednesday. This comes on the day that the veterans report to camp. This comes as a complete shock to everyone. What’s more shocking is the timing of the move. Daniels played 14 games in his rookie year in 2012. After that, he played all 16 games for the Packers from 2013 to 2016. He has missed a combined eight games in the past two seasons with multiple injuries accruing. Daniels is also getting older and the Packers are looking to get younger on defense. The Packers reportedly tried to trade him but no team wanted to give up anything. They cleared about $8M after cutting Daniels in the final year of his contract. He can still play at a very high level in this league. There will be a lot of teams interested in the former pro bowl lineman. These are the five teams that could sign Mike Daniels.
Five NFL Teams That Could Sign Mike Daniels
1. Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns had one of the best off-seasons of any team in the NFL. They are a team right now looking to get out of the dumps and get back to competitive football. They added guys like Odell Beckham Jr. and Sheldon Richardson. They could add one more piece to this team if they wanted to and that player is Mike Daniels. After missing out on Gerald McCoy, the Browns will take any opportunity to land a guy like Daniels. The Browns have some cap space left and could use the extra pass rush.
2. Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are one of the teams that could sign Mike Daniels. The Seahawks need a pass rush after trading Frank Clark to the Chiefs and losing Jarran Reed to a six-game suspension. The Seahawks and Mike Daniels haven’t had the best relationship when he was a Packer but it’s a business and I’m sure they can get past the history for at least one year.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs offense was lights out last year and it carried them to the AFC Championship Game but the defense is what held them back. The Chiefs struggled last year on that side of the ball but now with a new defensive coordinator, they will be looking to be elite on both sides. They added to the defense but they also subtracted as they added Frank Clark and Tyrann Mathieu to that defense but they let go Dee Ford and Justin Houston. They would like to add more to make it better and Mike Daniels is a player that could do that. Daniels would work with Chris Jones and that would be one of the best duos in the NFL.
4. Indianapolis Colts
With the return of Andrew Luck, the Indianapolis Colts look like a very dangerous team. The offensive line has protected Luck very well since his return and that defense can be one of the best in the NFL. This looks like one of the most complete teams in the league and with Daniels, they would look even better. The Colts had one of the best run defenses in the league last season. They also didn’t allow a single 100-yard rusher in the regular season. The Colts added to that with picking up defensive end Justin Houston and could be even more dangerous with Mike Daniels. Daniels can stop the run-up front very well and do everything that they ask him to do. The Colts have the most cap space of any team so they have plenty of money to sign him.
5. New England Patriots
The New England Patriots were one of the teams in talks with the Packers to get Mike Daniels but it went nowhere. Daniels probably would want to join a Super Bowl contender and who better than the defending champs? The Patriots lost defensive linemen Trey Flowers and Malcolm Brown. Daniels could bring versatility to that line and the body that they need. Bill Belichick also likes his veteran guys and Daniels certainly fits that mold.
The Final Drive
Mike Daniels was a very important piece to the Green Bay Packers over the years but it was time to move on. Daniels can still play at a very high level and teams looking for strength and size up the middle should certainly look for a player like him. There will be no surprise that Mike Daniels will have a very high interest from several teams.
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