The journey to get to 53 is always an interesting one. From the end of last year’s season until Saturday, the Green Bay Packers have had the opportunity to scout and grade a number of talented athletes trying to land a job. And not just any job, but one that includes putting on a uniform that is highly touted throughout the league. The chance to play for the 13-time World Champion Green Bay Packers only comes around once and awhile. For some, it’s make or break. For others, it’s a chance to move up the ladder. And for the rest, it could be the beginning of something special. An invite to the 2016 Green Bay Packers practice squad could be that second break.
2016 Green Bay Packers Practice Squad Rules: Who Stays and Who Goes
This year was a little different, or so the fans thought. There wasn’t much concern going into final cuts this year as most positions had been clearly identified and spoken for. Leave it to general manager Ted Thompson to throw a shock wave through Packer Nation and release three-time Pro Bowl guard Josh Sitton and inside linebacker Sam Barrington.
Cuts
For Barrington, it was a simple case of “too little too late.” After suffering a season ending injury in the first game of the 2015 season, Barrington was eager to come back this year and make his mark. Thompson, however, had invested in two fourth-round draft picks with linebacker Jake Ryan (2014) and Blake Martinez (2015). Both had shown quick progression and Thompson chose to stick with his guys. Sam Barrington was picked up by the Kansas City Chiefs the next day.
The real shocker of Saturday’s cuts was the untimely release of left guard Josh Sitton. The Packers reportedly weren’t willing to give Sitton the long-term deal he desired. The timing makes it harder for Sitton to contribute to another team this year, and it’s hard not to wonder whether the Packers made this decision months ago but decided to sit on it for as long as possible. The hope is that if he does sign elsewhere, he will have a bit of catch up. Not long after the release, Sitton visited the Chicago Bears. Thompson is hoping this doesn’t backfire.
The truth of the matter is that Barrington and Sitton were not the only players cut yesterday. But they were the only two who are unable to assume a role on the practice squad, for obvious reasons. But for the players who were cut, here are the rules and guidelines for a players eligibility:
2016 Green Bay Packers Practice Squad Rules
The following three rules are requirements to qualify for the Packers practice squad:
- Player has served no more than three seasons on a practice squad in the past (a season is defined as six games or more in a single year)
- Player has not completed an accrued season on an NFL roster (again, an accrued season is six games on the roster or on injured reserve) OR player has one or more accrued seasons but was on the active game day roster for fewer than nine games in each of those years
- “Veteran Exemption”: The NFL introduced “veteran” exemptions in recent years. This exemption allows teams to place up to four players who do not meet the above criteria on their practice squads if they have two or fewer accrued seasons. This essentially circumvents the second rule above for those four spots.
It is also important to remember that only players who have cleared waivers and are free agents may be placed on the practice squad. Teams may also sign a player from another team’s practice squad onto their active roster at any time. However, teams have the ability to pay practice squad players up to the league minimum in order to keep them from signing on another teams practice squad.
Who Stays
It appears as if no released players would potentially fall into the two-year “veteran” category either; linebacker Carl Bradford spent the entire 2014 season on the 53-man roster but was not on the active game day roster at any point that season. The Green Bay Packers have also informed both wide receiver Geronimo Allison and defensive lineman Brian Price that they would like to bring them on to the 10-man practice squad. Linebackers Reggie Gilbert and Carl Bradford were also signed. Guard Lucas Patrick had recently signed along with wide receiver/tight end Devon Cajuste from the San Francisco 49ers practice squad, Jermaine Whitehead (safety), and Jhurell Pressley (running back/kick returner) from the Minnesota Vikings. No Packers have been signed to opposing squad, yet.
