Collins sticks with the Pack

In what can only be described as a good moment in the free agent period, S Nick Collins has signed his restricted free agent tender offer, according to a report in today's Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, confirmed by Collins' agent.

Both sides apparently want to get a long-term deal done and Collins and his agent see this tender offer and signing as a good faith effort on his part and that of the Packers to try to get those negotiations jump started. The deal is one year for $3.3 million. The Packers sent a clear signal that they wanted to retain Collins by placing the highest tender on him. Any interested team would have had to compensate the Packers with both a first- and third-round draft choice if it signed him and the Packers declined to match the offer. The Pack in effect took Collins off the market with that tender.

You can read more about the deal here.

This is good news for the Packers as it should lock down a critical piece of the defensive secondary, particularly at a time when a few of the other pieces might not be as certain due to age, injury, etc. The secondary was tremendous last season, led by CB Charles Woodson. Having Collins at safety is a key to keeping that unit's overall performance among the top in the league.