Nick

Perry

Perry was cut by the Packers in March and has only been linked with the Seahawks since. Perry struggled to 1.5 sacks in just nine games last season. Injuries have derailed his career, but Perry would be a good upside bet for a team which does not appear that interested in winning this season.

It’ll be Perry’s first-known visit since being released by the Packers 13 days ago after Green Bay replaced Perry and Clay Matthews with a younger duo of Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith off the edge. Perry, 29 on April 12, showed next to nothing last season and would come extremely cheap as a rehab project.

This was the expectation even before the Packers added two outside linebackers in free agency on Tuesday. The move saves Green Bay $3.3 million against the cap but leaves behind $11.1 million in dead money. Perry is still just 29 (in April) and has shown he can be an effective pass rusher, but he has struggled to stay on the field the last two seasons. He will likely have to settle for a prove-it deal, potentially making him a bargain.

Perry signed a massive “five-year, $60 million” deal with the Packers in March 2017 and has totally flopped after his fluke 11-sack 2016 season. He’s missed 11-of-32 games to injuries since then and missed half of last season with a knee injury, totaling just 1.5 sacks. Perry turns 29 in April and is due a $4.8 million roster bonus in March, which he is obviously not going to see.

It ends a disappointing year for Perry, who finishes with 24 tackles and 1.5 sacks. The Packers could also be without DL Mike Daniels (foot) for the rest of the season. Seventh round DL James Looney was promoted from the practice squad to take Perry’s spot.

CBs Bashaud Breeland (groin), Kentrell Brice, and Jaire Alexander all came off the field early due to injury, as well. All will be worth monitoring heading into Week 11.

Perry has been struggling to fight through an ankle injury since undergoing offseason surgery on it. It doesn’t bode well that it’s a new injury altogether that forced him to exit early. We’ll have an update when the team does.

The two-down player is week to week.

Perry, who forewent his senior season, is an unusual pick for Packers GM Ted Thompson, who typically prefers players with fewer question marks. Despite giving just “30-70 percent” effort, Perry’s 9.5 sacks led the Pac 12 last season, and he has an excellent shot at beating out Erik Walden, Brad Jones, and Frank Zombo to start opposite Clay Matthews at outside linebacker.

A defensive end at USC, Perry will likely play outside linebacker in the Packers’ 3-4 defense, lining up opposite fellow former Trojan Clay Matthews. Although he’ll probably be asked to shed a few pounds, Perry currently clocks in a bruising 6-foot-3, 271 pounds, making his unofficial 40 times of 4.50 and 4.56 at the Combine extremely impressive. His tape didn’t always match his measurables at USC, but his 9.5 sacks did lead the Pac 12 last season. He could be a solid rookie-year contributor.