Rams' Brandon Chillar Headed to Green Bay

While the state of Wisconsin continues to mourn due to the retirement of icon Brett Favre, General Manager Ted Thompson and the Green Bay Packers made their first off-season move in the post Favre-era on Wednesday.

Rams free agent Linebacker Brandon Chillar signed with the packers on Wednesday, agreeing to a 2-year deal worth $5.4 million. According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the deal includes an additional $1 million in incentives and Chillar is expected to earn $3 million the first year.

Drafted in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft, the 25-year old Chillar had 67 tackles, 2 ½ sacks, and 3 forced fumbles for the Rams last year.

While Chillar was raised in Carlsbad, CA and played for UCLA, he still chose to sign with the cold weather Packers instead of the Rams or the Arizona Cardinals; the two other teams reportedly interested in his services. As his agent, Jim Ivler, stated, "He was comfortable with what Green Bay had to say and realizes it's a winning program and a great organization and he wants a chance at the Super Bowl."

Chillar is going to compete with the current starter at outside linebacker, Brady Poppinga, for the Packers next season. He adds speed and an ability to cover the opposing team's tight end; a position the Packers defense has struggled to stop in past seasons. The Packers have the option of using them both at the linebacker position or moving Poppinga to defensive end for a pass rushing role. Poppinga played the end position in college at BYU and could be a pass rush specialist. Either way, it looks like both Chillar and Poppinga will be on the roster next year as the Packers have been negotiating on a long-term contract with Poppinga in recent months.

The 2-year deal allows Chillar to showcase his skills and receive a new deal while still at a young age. If Thompson retains his current method of rewarding players already on the roster for high performance, Chillar could remain with the team for years to come.

Source

Tom Silverstein, "Chillar Took Less to Join Packers." JSOnline