The Packers have released LB A.J. Hawk to avoid paying him a $10.5 million bonus which was due on the first day of the new league year. While no one would likely call the former #5 overall pick a bust, most would agree that he hasn't quite lived up to his lofty expectations. Certainly not enough to warrant paying him $10.5 million next season.
↵His release leads us to the inevitable question, should the Eagles have interest in Hawk? For one, he's very durable having missed only three games in his first five NFL seasons. That's certainly in contrast to say... Stewart Bradley who has been injury prone since he came into the NFL. Hawk would play the MIKE inside LB position in the Eagles 4-3 defense, which means Bradley would likely be gone. While I don't really think there's anyone in the Eagles' linebacking career who should feel their job is safe and I'm open to seeing an upgrade anywhere, inside linebacker is certainly not their greatest need. Stewart Bradley has played well there when he's been healthy and rookie Jamar Chaney did a good job last season when Bradley went down. The outside linebacker positions are the ones that are really lacking. Especially with the disappointing Ernie Sims not likely to return next year.
↵So while I think Hawk would be a useful player at the right price, I'm not sure he's really the right fit for what really ails the Eagles D. Plus, as several media outlets have noted, there's rumblings that the Packers plan to re-sign Hawk to a more reasonable deal.
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