Mike Daniels quickly developed into an emotional leader for the Green Bay Packers' defense. In wake of Green Bay releasing the veteran defensive tackle earlier this week, though, it certainly seems like he has every intention of making his former team pay.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, a whopping 14 teams showed interest in Daniels after he was released by the Packers on Wednesday. Not only that, but four teams matched or exceeded the one-year, $9.1 million contract offer he ultimately signed with the Detroit Lions. Why did Daniels choose the Lions, then? In part due to his preference to stay in the NFC North, and perhaps take vengeance on the Packers.
The #Lions gave DL Mike Daniels a 1-year deal worth $9.1M with $7.8M guaranteed… and of the 13 teams who called, four other teams were willing to do that deal or better. But the former #Packers star wanted to play for coach Matt Patricia… and stay in the division.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 26, 2019
The 31-year-old agreed to terms with Detroit on Friday. Also chasing him were the Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, and Cleveland Browns among many other teams.
Daniels was entering the final season of a four-year, $42 million contract he signed with the Packers in December 2015. He emerged as a true impact player in the interim, earning his first and only Pro Bowl nod in 2017. The seven-year veteran was subsequently ranked as the 93rd-best player in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018.
Daniels had 18 tackles and two sacks over the first 10 games of last season before suffering a foot injury. He was placed on injured reserve shortly thereafter.
Green Bay shaved $10.7 million off its salary books by waiving Daniels, and first-year coach Matt LaFleur subsequently stressed confidence in his team's new defensive line. None of that will matter when an extra motivated Mike Daniels faces off with the Packers on two separate occasions during the regular season, though.
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