A healthy training camp has the Green Bay Packers believing Christian Kirksey can solve at least one longstanding issue at inside linebacker in 2020.
GM Brian Gutekunst said he thinks the veteran linebacker has the “dynamic ability” the Packers have been missing in the middle of the field on defense.
“The fun thing was just how quickly he got up to speed and started leading that defense,” Gutekunst said, via Wes Hodkiewicz of Packers.com. “He’s a very athletic player. He’s obviously proven a lot in this league. He’s healthy and I think he adds a little bit of dynamic ability that maybe we’ve been missing for a little while.”
The Packers signed Kirksey, who spent his first six seasons with the Cleveland Browns, to a two-year deal in March. He’ll lead the Packers defense after replacing Blake Martinez as the top inside linebacker for Mike Pettine.
The Packers hope Kirksey can cover more ground in the run game and be a better player in the passing game.
The image of San Francisco 49ers running back Raheem Mostert slicing through the Packers defense with speed during the NFC title game remains hard to shake, but in Kirksey, the Packers might have a player who can move better side to side and creating more splash plays attacking forward.
Andy Herman of Packer Report said Kirksey was “all over the field all camp long” this summer, potentially providing a preview of what the Packers will get in their new linebacker in 2020.
Kirksey’s testing numbers don’t suggest a dynamic player, but measurables don’t always tell the whole story, especially at linebacker. If the Packers feel that Kirksey can play fast, the testing numbers won’t really matter.
Kirksey, who missed 23 games to injury the last two seasons, might be one of the Packers’ most important players in 2020. He needs to provide a tangible improvement at a position that has haunted the Packers for years.
Gutekunst, Pettine and coach Matt LaFleur have talked him up all summer. Now, he must prove that “dynamic ability” on the field, starting Sunday against Dalvin Cook and the Minnesota Vikings.
