The cornerback situation in Green Bay will remain the same this year, as ProFootballTalk reports that the Packers sign Sam Shields to a four year contract worth up to $39 million. Shields was set to become an unrestricted free agent, and one of the top cornerbacks available.
Shields came to the Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2010 with the hopes of making the team as a special teams gunner. His speed vaulted him into the nickel position, where he shined during the playoffs that season. During the NFC Championship game against the Bears, Shields recorded two interceptions, a sack and a forced fumble.
He continued to improve over the past few years, drawing the restricted free agent designation last year. A reported $12.5 million signing bonus is his reward for consistently being fast enough to keep up with the opposing teams' quickest receivers. Any time Shields got burned this year, communication was the clear blame. Now that the Packers sign Sam Shields, they can work on getting a safety that excels in coverage to alleviate those concerns, and hopefully strengthen what has been the Achilles heal since 2010.'
Shields 2013 stats: 61 total tackles, 4 INTs, 17 pass defenses
