Packers Signing Christian Kirksey This Early in Free Agency Proves Brian Gutekunst is a Better GM Than Ted Thompson

The Green Bay Packers had long been one of the more idle teams in free agency under Ted Thompson's watch, frequently proving unwilling to fork over a big paycheck to a player hitting the open market.

However, it seems Brian Gutekunst is bringing forth a change in tune for the Packers during the offseason, and he made a big statement by ushering in an early signing for Green Bay in free agency. Per Mike Garafolo, the Packers and free agent linebacker Christian Kirksey have agreed to a two-year deal.

Gutekunst, unlike Thompson, has not shied away from locking down some big names on the open market. Just last season the Packers brought in the likes of ZaDarius Smith, Preston Smith and Adrian Amos to fortify the defense, a series of moves which paid dividends for the team throughout the season. This aggression over the past couple seasons is unlike anything Packers fans witnessed under Thompson.

Adding Kirksey to the two-year, $16 million deal is just further evidence Gutekunst isn't afraid to take a gamble if he thinks the signing will help the Packers compete for a Super Bowl.

Kirksey spent the first six years of his career in Cleveland, having been drafted in the third round in 2014. Injuries have slowed him down over the past two years, however. He's featured in just nine games since the start of the 2018 campaign, and has zero sacks during that span.

When healthy, Kirksey has shown he has what it takes to be a premier linebacker in the league. In 2017, the last time he played 16 games, he racked up 138 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Gutekunst and Co. are hoping the LB can stay on the field in 2020 and help replace the loss of Blake Martinez, who is expected to find a new home in free agency.