Bengals Reach Deal With A.J. Hawk

Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The defensive leader for the Green Bay Packers  for nine years has officially moved on. The 31-year-old linebacker has decided to come back to his hometown and sign a two-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Hawk was drafted fifth overall by Green Bay in the 2006 NFL Draft and is the franchise’s all-time leader in tackles. However, that didn’t stop the Packers from releasing him on February 25th.  Hawk is also coming off a recent surgery to remove bone spurs in his ankle.

As for Green Bay, his release was most likely a decision based off cap space (Green Bay saves 3.5 million in salary cap room). As for Cincy, they get a player who seems to always been on the field (has only missed two games) as well as bring solid play and leadership that may be well needed to step to the next competitive level.

Hawk has always been a solid linebacker for Green Bay, but ultimately the Packers probably wanted more production from the former fifth overall pick, where he has only been to one Pro Bowl in the year 2010.

Quickly, Hawk was overshadowed by Clay Matthews, when Matthews came to the league in 2009. Matthews already is a five-time pro-bowler and a was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2010. The Cincinnati linebacker core seems to now be intact, after re-singing Rey Maualuga yesterday. Hawk will be remembered in Green Bay for years to come, as the fans see him a true professional and defensive leader.