The 32 NFL teams spend their time in Indianapolis during the NFL Scouting Combine analyzing and interviewing prospects to add to their rosters in May.
They also spend time meeting with agents to discuss contracts for their pending free agents ahead of the start of free agency. Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports that the Packers did just that with Drew Rosenhaus, who represents cornerback Sam Shields.
Per Demovsky, no deal is considered imminent but the two sides are engaged in “ongoing” negotiations designed to keep Shields in Green Bay for the long term. Shields was a restricted free agent last year and made $2.023 million after being tendered by the Packers. He intercepted four passes in 14 games, but was forced out of the team’s playoff loss to the 49ers by a knee injury.
That injury isn’t expected to have any lasting impact into next season, which would leave Shields with a clear path to retaining his starting job and place as one of the Packers’ best defenders. General Manager Ted Thompson hasn’t ruled out using the franchise tag on Shields, but the team would surely prefer to avoid the $11 million price tag while Shields likely would prefer a long-term deal to a one-year contract.