If you believe the pundits, Aaron Kampmans career with the Green Bay Packers is finished.
He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next week. Hes coming off a major knee injury. Hes supposedly not a good fit for the Packers 3-4 defense.
If you try hard enough, you can come up with plenty of reasons why Kampman will likely find a new employer after spending eight years in Green Bay. But there are just as many factors, maybe more, why the Packers should keep him, and why it would be a big mistake to let Kampman get away without a fight.
Like most NFL teams, the Packers are desperate for a pass rusher. In particular they need someone solid at left outside linebacker to complement Clay Matthews, who as a rookie last season produced a team-high 10 sacks.
The Packers can scour the free-agent market and sift through this years draft class and never find anyone as good as Kampman to fill that pressing need.
Too much has been made of Kampman being miscast as a 3-4 outside linebacker last season after he played as a 4-3 defensive end for seven years.
No, Kampman didnt dance down Lombardi Avenue with glee when the Packers changed their defensive scheme a year ago, and naturally there were growing pains during the transition. But one important point that tends to get overlooked is Kampman was improving in his new role before suffering a season-ending anterior cruciate knee ligament injury in November.
Kampman wasnt an instant impact player in the 4-3 defense either but given time, he developed into a Pro Bowl-caliber defensive end. Based on his track record, dedication, work ethic and will to succeed, there is no doubt he could flourish in the 3-4.
Even though he played in only nine games in the 3-4 defense, Kampman finished second on the team with 28 quarterback hits.
Many questions linger about a 30-year-old coming off knee surgery, but if anyone possesses the determination to bounce back, its Kampman. Hes as close as it gets to a guaranteed investment.
General Manager Ted Thompson said last month he planned to extend a contract offer to Kampman. Thompson would be wise to put those words into action, open the team checkbook and let Kampman know how highly he is regarded. Beyond his physical skills, its hard to put a price tag on Kampmans locker room presence and leadership.
The knee injury will scare away some free-agent shoppers and decrease Kampmans value on the open market. But that presumably means the Packers wont have to break the bank to keep him.
Kampman said in January he was hopeful of re-signing with the Packers, which tells me a generous offer might convince him to stay.
If the Packers are serious about making a Super Bowl run, one weakness they must address is their pass defense. The best way to shore that up is by increasing pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Kampman is the most obvious solution to that problem. Despite what the pundits say, he would look very good in a Packers uniform this season and for years to come.