Bye Bye Bishop?

As Jason Wilde of ESPN Milwaukee reported, the Packers appear to be on the verge of cutting LB Desmond Bishop. The 28 year old defender hasn't played since last season's preseason opener on August 9th, when he ruptured his hamstring tendon.

LB Desmond Bishop - Photo credit: Totalpackers.com

Packer fans have been anxiously awaiting Bishop's return, as the linebacker corps looked nebulous earlier in the offseason. Nebulosity gave way to clarity in March, however, when the Packers offered LB Brad Jones a three-year $11.75 million contract—A sign the team was ready to move on. LB AJ Hawk also accepted a rather team-friendly contract restructure, adding to speculation.

All of this should come as no surprise to fans. As early as draft weekend, rumors surfaced that Bishop was on the trading block. No team has been willing to trade for Bishop thus far, which is likely due to a keen sense of how GM Ted Thompson does business. Why trade for a player you anticipate will be cut in the near future?

He has yet to participate in OTA's, and it appears that he and the team are at loggerheads over restructuring his contract. Bishop's current deal has him making $3.464 Million this season. The Packers seem unwilling to take on that salary, deferring to the younger, faster Brad Jones.

Nothing is confirmed yet, but the roster move appears imminent. The Packers brought 13 other linebackers into OTA's, including 5 rookies.