The Green Bay Packers are in negotiations for new contracts with defensive end Aaron Kampman and running back Ahman Green, according to reports. Both veterans are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents Sunday night at midnight.
Green is coming off a season-ending injury that caused him the miss the second half of last season. Kampman is coming off his best year as a pro.
Kampman may be in line for a contract similar to the one that Tennessee defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch received in February. Vanden Bosch got a four-year deal worth about $21 million, including $14.5 million in guaranteed money. As one of the top potential unrestricted free agent defensive ends this off-season, Kampman likely is commanding a contract that averages about $5 million a season.
Green, who turned 29 on Feb. 16, is ahead of schedule as he recovers from a torn quadriceps tendon injury that he sustained last October against the Minnesota Vikings. Though it is uncertain if he will be ready to participate in training camp, the Packers apparently are pushing hard to keep him in Green Bay. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that the Packers appear committed to spending more than $2 million to bring Green back as their starting running back. Green, the most productive runner in the NFL from 2000-'04, when he gained 6,848 rushing yards, is coming off a five-year, $17 million contract extension he signed in 2001.
Samkon Gado, signed as a street free agent last October, emerged as the team’s leading rusher. Gado will enter training camp as the team’s No. 2 running back if Green is re-signed, and possibly the Packers’ starter if Green is not ready to go by the start of the season.