Packers Cutting Mike Daniels Right Before Camp Was a Disrespectful Move

The Green Bay Packers shocked the NFL world by cutting veteran defensive lineman Mike Daniels just a day away from the start of training camp.

Though no team should be required to explain every last roster decision at length, what shouldn't be lost on anyone is just how disrespectful that move really was.

Surprise of day: Green Bay is releasing former Pro Bowl DT Mike Daniels, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 24, 2019

Daniels has been a model of consistency ever since the Packers drafted him in the fourth round back in 2012. He played in at least 14 games in each of his first six seasons, and even as injuries hampered him in 2018, he still made it onto the field for 10 games.

A Pro Bowler in 2017, Daniels racked up 29 sacks, 239 total tackles and 47 tackles for a loss during his time in Green Bay. The Packers couldn't have asked for a more reliable player on the defensive line.

The injury concern surely plays a factor, but the least Green Bay could have done was give him another season to work through things. His cap hit might have been on the larger side, but the upside of having him on the roster could have still outweighed any potential drawbacks.

While releasing DT Mike Daniels might come as a surprise, it makes sense on several levels: He was due to make $8.5 million this year ($7.6 million base salary, $500,000 roster bonus and $400,000 workout bonus). The workout bonus would already have been... https://t.co/UcBVDVa1ta
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) July 24, 2019

All they've done is put themselves a man down on defense and disrespected a quality player who gave the franchise his all.

They'd better hope it was worth it, because when Daniels gets another chance in the NFL, he's definitely going to use it to show his former team what they're missing out on.