Josh Sitton
The news was circulating around 2 p.m. central time on Saturday, about an hour before NFL teams had to have their rosters trimmed to the league’s regular season limit of 53 players. The team reportedly told All-Pro guard Josh Sitton that he was going to be released by the team, if they couldn’t find a trade partner before the deadline.
In the end, the Green Bay Packers couldn’t come up with a deal and released the eighth year pro.
There was speculation that Sitton was unhappy with his contract and was headed for a standoff. Yet Sitton would later tell the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he was not making waves about his having one year left on his contract and was totally caught by surprised when notified by his agent on Saturday morning that he was being released.
In a statement released by the team, general manager Ted Thompson said, “We want to thank Josh for his contributions during his time in Green Bay.” “He has been an important part of the success we have enjoyed on the field.
Sitton was entering the final year of a five-year contract extension that he signed in 2011, valued at $33.75-million.
Sitton said he never expressed a word of dissatisfaction to Thompson or anyone else in the front office and said there would be no reason the Packers should feel he wasn’t 100 percent committed to this season.
Last week, Sitton told the Wisconsin Radio Network that his new offseason program had him feeling the best he’s felt in years. Sitton dropped weight to start the offseason and slowly put quality muscle weight back on as Training Camp approached.
Because Sitton is a vested veteran, he isn’t subject to the waiver process, which means he’s a free agent immediately and can begin talking with teams in the league at any time.
Sitton’s departure does clear $6.55 million dollars off of the salary cap and gives them more money to sign other players that will see their contracts end after this season.
The Packers have yet to discuss the move with the media and it appears they won’t until at least Monday. It would appear for now that the Packers would go with backup Lane Taylor in Sitton’s place to start the regular season.
The Packers also waived inside linebacker Sam Barrington, who missed the first eight practices while recovering from major foot surgery last September.
The remaining roster moves follow:
Players Cut:
Geronimo Allison, Carl Bradford, Beniquez Brown, Robertson Daniel, Warren Gatewood, Reggie Gilbert, Rick Lovato, Lucas Patrick, Casey Pierce, Brian Price, Brandon Ross, Alstevis Squirewell, herb Waters, Jermaine Whitehead and Marquise Williams.
The Packers don’t currently have a long snapper after releasing Rick Lovato.
The Packers also placed DT Tyler Kuder and C Kyle Steuck on injured reserve and placed center Corey Linsley on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. CB Demetri Goodson and DT Mike Pennel were both placed on the reserve/suspended list.