The Green Bay Packers announced Friday they released inside linebacker Brad Jones.
The release of the six-year pro will save the team approximately $3.7 million on the cap. The 28-year-old Jones signed a three-year $11.5 million deal in 2013 -- one of Ted Thompson's worst contracts.
The former seventh-round pick showed some promise early in his career, but fell off the last two seasons. So often receiving the ire of Packers fans, Jones finished 2014 ranked the 116th inside linebacker by Pro Football Focus out of 125 total players. He started just one game with 18 tackles last season, after starting 22 games with 161 tackles over the previous two seasons.
Jones' release creates an even bigger hole at a position of need for Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy. While the Packers will focus on addressing the position in the draft and free agency, we expect Clay Matthews to continue to see time on the inside in multiple defensive packages in 2015.
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