[Arles]

I think Daniels is still a good player. But, with the team signing and drafting guys to play the 3-technique, his role was going to be diminished. I think the Packers cutting him was because of three factors:

1. He wanted a new contract and the team didn't want to pay him. This probably would have been an issue all year. And, if you combine his lack of PT going into a UFA season with not getting an extension - it probably wouldn't have gone well.

2. The team drafted Gary, added Z'Darius Smith and wants use a recent pick in Montravious Adams as inside rushers on 3rd downs. That's really the main usefulness for Daniels at the stage and he looks like just a rotational guy with this group (esp after adding in Clark and Lowry on normal downs).

3. Given Daniels' recent injury history (8 games and IR stints in the past two), his salary ($10 mil) and the risk that he goes on the IR because of injury or injury + unhappiness, I think the team thought it was best to cut him before camp. It sounded like they have been offering him for a pick since June and there were no takers for his salary. There are stories the team will use his $10 mil to extend some upcoming FAs, something they couldn't do if he played and ended up on the IR.

All in all, it was kind of a perfect storm where a useful player got cut before camp. He will help the team that gets him (as long as his health holds up).