The Green Bay Packers have certainly had their fair share of linebackers come and go in recent years. Luckily, it seems like they struck gold with ILB De’Vondre Campbell. However, from 2016-2019 Green Bay had a linebacker that was good against the run, but not so great against the pass. That unfortunately led to him being released. Blake Martinez was the leading tackler for the Packers for multiple seasons. He averaged 148 combined tackles per season from 2017-2019. He spent the last two years in New York playing for the Giants. Now he has a new home out west.
Blake Martinez Signs With The Las Vegas Raiders
Former #Giants LB Blake Martinez is signing with the #Raiders, reuniting with DC Patrick Graham, per @Schultz_Report. He recently took a visit there, now signs.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 4, 2022
Martinez has been reunited with former Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. Graham is now in Las Vegas in the same role. In Blake Martinez’s first season with the Giants (2020), he started all 16 games and led the Giants with 151 tackles. He had signed a three year deal worth around $30 million. He led the NFL with 144 tackles in 2017 in Green Bay.
Martinez tore his ACL just three games into last season, thus ending his second campaign in New York early. The 28-year-old restructured his deal all the way down to $1.25 million for this season, and returned healthy for the end of training camp. However, new head coach Brian Daboll apparently did not have much use for Martinez, The Post’s Paul Schwartz reported. He did not fit new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s scheme.
The Raiders defense has struggled over the first four games. They are currently allowing 25 points per game and have allowed 13 touchdowns. The arrival of Martinez could help correct their struggles, especially in a linebacker group lacking a proven talent such as him. We wish nothing but the best for Blake going forward!
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