How Packers culture convinced De’Vondre Campbell to sign 5-year deal
It’s easy for fans to think of the Packers as solely a source of entertainment, but the offseason is always ready to remind us the athletes and organizations across the league are involved in a business.
And like any business, a culture of respect goes a long way toward creating a successful product.
Middle linebacker De’Vondre Campbell is a prime example. He had a couple of offers last summer, but chose the Packers on a two-million-dollar deal. By the end of the season, he made All-Pro, was the second-best linebacker in coverage, the best-rated tackler, and he re-signed for five years and $50 million.
In past years with the Falcons and Cardinals he was asked to move around position-wise, and he says it made teams think he was average. He told the Packers he was great and only wanted to play middle linebacker for them. They listened.
“When you’ve got people from all the way to the top down to the people who are just starting showing how much they appreciate you being here, it goes a long way,” Campbell said this week. “I’ve always felt like I’ve done all the right things for the wrong people, so to actually find people who show their appreciation for you, you want to run through a wall for them. The fact that the Packers showed me a commitment–it’s mutual.”
Campbell made 145 tackles (101 solo) and recorded two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and six QB hits.
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