Packers cut Hawk, but talks on new deal continuing
By Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel
March 2, 2011 4:33 p.m. | Linebacker A.J. Hawk was released Wednesday, a day before his $10 million guaranteed salary was due to hit the Green Bay Packers' books.
The Packers had been negotiating with Hawk for the past week or so, but the two sides couldn't reach a contract and so to prevent from having to pay him $10 million guaranteed this season, they released him.
According to a source familiar with the move, the two sides will continue talking up to the deadline for free agency Thursday night and that the release was strictly procedural. There will be no free agency if the owners and players don't reach an agreement on a collective bargaining agreement and the Packers won't be in danger of losing Hawk.
If there is no CBA by Thursday at 11 p.m., Hawk can't shop himself around the league. He wouldn't be able to do anything - including signing with the Packers - until there is a CBA.
The Packers announced the release with this statement from GM Ted Thompson: .With A.J., the business side of the game is driving this decision. Were hopeful that we can continue to work with A.J. to have him be a part of our team in the future.