GREEN BAY, Wis. (March 10, 2005) -- The Green Bay Packers released two-time Pro Bowl safety Darren Sharper to trim $3.4 million off their salary cap and avoid having to pay him a $2.6 million roster bonus this weekend.
The Packers tried to get Sharper to restructure his deal, but he balked at a pay cut, hoping he can make more on the open market than the approximately $2 million Green Bay was offering for 2005.
Sharper started at free safety the last six seasons and ranks fifth in team history with 36 interceptions. He led the team with four interceptions last year and scored three defensive touchdowns.
The Packers have lost three safeties this offseason. They released Michael Hawthorne and Bhawoh Jue signed with San Diego last week at the start of free agency, when Green Bay also lost both of its starting guards: Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle.
