The Green Bay Packers made it a priority this offseason to lockup pass-rushing defensive lineman Mike Daniels with a new long-term extension. Unfortunately, it seems that talks have not been productive thus far, leading Packers GM Ted Thompson to break off negotiations with Daniels and his reps, according to Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
"Sources told the Journal Sentinel that negotiations between Daniels and the Packers broke off recently with the two sides far apart in their positions," writes McGinn. Per the report, Daniels is seeking "in the neighborhood" of $10 million per season, while the Packers have made multiyear proposals averaging "several million less" per year.
The Packers, of course, want to see Daniels remain in Green Bay. Since being selected in the fourth-round of the 2012 NFL Draft - the same draft that produced ultimately disappointing second-round defensive lineman Jerel Worthy - Daniels has developed into perhaps the best interior pass-rusher on what is a deep defensive line depth chart for the Packers. While Daniels initially struggled to find a home along the Packers 3-4 front and doesn't possess the ideal height requirements for a typical 3-4 end, he has really blossomed in recent years. At the conclusion of last season, his first full year as a starter, Daniels had amassed 14 sacks.
Despite his production, it may be his limited size proving the ultimate hindrance to getting a deal done with Thompson and Co.
"Ted (Thompson) would not want to pay a 6 feet tall defensive tackle $9 million a year," an unnamed NFL personnel executive said, via McGinn. "He's not getting that. He'll probably let him go."
Another undersized NFL defensive tackle, Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowler Geno Atkins, was handed a five-year extension in Sep. 2013 that averaged $10.7 million and carried $15 million in guarantees. Atkins, also a former fourth-rounder, was a two-year starter with 23 career sacks at the time of the deal.
Three other 3-4 defensive ends signed new extensions over the past couple of months: the Chargers Corey Liuget ($10.25 million average), the Saints Cameron Jordan ($11 million average) and the Steelers Cameron Heyward ($10.5 million).
Based on market value, Daniels' asking price doesn't seem out of whack and considering the Packers have about $15.5 million in salary cap space, they certainly have the room to make any move they so desire with regards to Daniels. Considering it wasn't that long ago that they saw nose tackle B.J. Raji gamble on himself, turn down a lucrative extension offer and return to the team for a nominal one-year salary, Thompson may very well take a similar approach with Daniels, a player who is set to enter the final year of his rookie contract.
