A history of concussions and a high price tag led the Green Bay Packers to release veteran defensive back Sam Shields on Thursday.
Shields broke the news with an instagram post which expressed surprise over the decision and one that featured several hashtags, among them: #Iwasgetting better, #stillmad and #nomorefreezing weather.
The Packers later confirmed the release.
Shields suffered his 5th concussion on opening day in Jacksonville and missed the rest of the season. He was with the team in Atlanta for the NFC Championship game and told reporters he was hoping to resume his career but he was also still experiencing concussion related symptoms including headaches, more than four months after the injury.
He joined the Packers as an undrafted free agent wide receiver from Miami of Florida and made the transition to cornerback where he became the team’s best perimeter pass defender. He recorded 18 interceptions during his career and made the Pro Bowl once.
He signed a contract extension in 2014 and was scheduled to earn 12 million dollars in 2017. The Packers will save approximately nine million dollars with the move.
Once Shields was hurt, the secondary struggled most of the year with young corners like LaDarius Gunter, Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins, all in their second season. The departure could make the position a priority not only in the draft in late April, but possibly in free agency which begins next month.
