The Packers drafted a pair of cornerbacks early in the 2015 draft, which may contribute to Casey Hayward playing elsewhere in 2016.
Hayward is set to become a free agent next month and the 2012 second-round pick thinks that chances are good that he won’t resign with Green Bay before the new league year starts on March 9.
“They normally wait til closer to the deadline,” Hayward told Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com in a text message. “But we shall see. I’ll probably hit the market.”
Hayward started 11 regular season games and both playoff games for the Packers while spending most of his time in the slot. Damarious Randall, the first-round pick last year, and Sam Shields profile as the starting outside corners with Quinten Rollins, 2015’s second-rounder, an option to move into the inside role should Hayward move on to another club.
Hayward didn’t have an interception in 2015, but helped the Packers hold opposing offenses to the league’s lowest completion percentage when throwing to slot receivers. That should make for a good market if he and the Packers can’t agree on a contract before the start of free agency.