Organizational philosophy is important in the NFL because it helps set the tone for the team. The Green Bay Packers, for instance, have always made it a point to re-sign their own home grown players. That's just how they do things. But every now and then a Packers draft pick develops so well that they become too expensive for Green Bay to lock up.
It's possible that scenario could unfold for defensive lineman Mike Daniels.
Daniels, a 2012 fourth-rounder, was arguably Green Bay's most important lineman last season. Even though he has yet to receive an extension offer with his contract coming to an end next year, Daniels isn't letting the uncertainty affect him. He showed up for the start of the offseason program with one goal in mind.
"All of that is just a distraction," Daniels said via ESPN. "I'm here to play football. I'm here to get better. I'm here to watch film, relearn the defense, get bigger, faster, stronger. All that [contract] stuff, that's nothing but a huge distraction. The instant people start putting a focus on something like that, that's when their play starts to suffer. And I don't have time for my play to suffer."
Daniels could look to teammate Randall Cobb for advice on how to deal with the situation. Cobb was just days away from hitting the open market this offseason before the Packers re-signed him with a four-year deal worth $40 million.
"Just to focus on football and not have to worry about answering questions or thinking about it too much," Cobb said. "Just going out there and doing what I do and practicing and preparing to get better."
Green Bay's 2016 free agent class also includes cornerback Casey Hayward, linebacker Mike Neal and tight end Andrew Quarless. Of the trio, Daniels will likely be the priority. He led all Packers DL in snaps played, tackles and sacks last season.
Green Bay has the opportunity to improve in the trenches in 2015 with the return of B.J. Raji, who missed all of last season due to a torn biceps tendon. Plus, the Packers also re-signed his replacement, Letroy Guion.
"Those two guys, it's always good to have two other older guys, that have been around, that have played a lot of football and what they bring to the weight room, practice, the locker room," Daniels said. "That's something that money can't buy. So, I'm really happy I get to play with those guys again."
Despite Daniels' improvement and importance to the team there is still no guarantee that he will be back. Tramon Williams spent eight years with Green Bay before signing with the Cleveland Browns this offseason. Davon House was a promising young corner who was allowed to leave for the Jacksonville Jaguars. A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones were both released.
"That's tough," Daniels said. "But that's just the nature of the business. You just named good, quality guys that can play football. It's tough, but it's just something that comes with the business. This is my fourth year, and I think three years ago I might have been a little more shocked by it, but still, when you walk in here and you don't see those familiar faces, it's still a bit of a shock."
