Report: Kampman signs with Jaguars
By Greg A. Bedard of the Journal Sentinel
March 7, 2010
Green Bay - After eight seasons, Aaron Kampman's time as a Green Bay Packer is reportedly over.
The Florida Times-Union is reporting Kampman agreed to a contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars a short time ago.
Financial terms of the deal were not available but the paper reported Kampman's deal is likely similar to the contract signed by end Kyle Vanden Bosch on Saturday with the Detroit Lions.
Vanden Bosch reportedly got a four-year contract worth $26 million, with $10 million due in the first year of the deal.
It will give Kampman to go back to playing end in a 4-3 scheme, a year after he was moved to outside linebacker in the Packers' new 3-4 scheme -- a move that Kampman never took to and appeared to be his impetus for leaving the only NFL home he's ever known.
The Packers made an effort to re-sign Kampman, who is only three months removed from having his left ACL repaired, but it's not known how much either side wanted the relationship to continue.
Kampman's departure leaves Brad Jones, who will be in his second season, and veteran Brady Poppinga as the top returners at left outside linebacker. The two split time at the spot -- with Jones the starter and getting a majority of the work -- by the end of the season.
The Packers most likely will look for more outside linebacker help in the draft. In the playoff-game loss to the Arizona Cardinals, rookie standout Clay Matthews found himself constantly double teamed at right outside linebacker. It severely hurt the Packers' pass rush that another player was not able to apply pressure on the other side.
Kampman, a fifth-round pick out of Iowa in 2002, departs as the fourth-leading sacker in club history (54). He had started 98 of a possible 100 games before suffering the injury on Nov. 22.
Kampman was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2006 and '07, and was named second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press each time.
During his time with the Packers, Kampman was lauded for his work ethic and leadership by teammates and coaches alike. One of the team's most popular players with fans, Kampman was very active in charitable causes and the Christian community in Green Bay.