The Green Bay Packers have had a big offseason when it comes to contract extensions. Earlier, the team took care of two of their biggest cornerstone pieces, setting them up for a long-term future in Green Bay. Both quarterback Aaron Rodgers and linebacker Clay Matthews singed large figure deals to remain a Packer for many years to come. Next in line to get his contract extension is B.J. Raji.
While Raji might be due a new contract, the Packers are not giving him one this offseason. Instead, they will force the defensive tackle to play out the final year of his deal before handing him a pay raise. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Green Bay will make Raji earn a new deal, tabling contract talks for the remainder of the season.
Raji is entering the final year of his rookie contract he signed back in 2009 when the Packers drafted him in the top 10. His best season came back in 2010 when Raji made the Pro Bowl after posting 39 tackles and 6.5 sacks. Since then, he has not been the exact same player. In the past two seasons, Raji has only recorded three sacks total and 30 tackles. If he wants the new contract, he will need to see a return to form this upcoming season.
The Packers are making some tweaks to the defense in hopes of getting Raji back to Pro Bowl shape. For starters, they are having the young tackle eat healthier and work through a different training program in order to shape up. Green Bay will look to change up their defensive scheme as well that will better suit Raji.
"I want to get back to the Pro Bowl. I think that I have that ability. And I want to help other guys get to the Pro Bowl who haven't been there. I want to obviously help us get back to being a top-five defense. And I just want to dominate the game, from Week 1 to whenever we're done playing and just have an impact in every football game," Raji said.
Raji is confident that his contract will play out and take care of itself. He is hopeful that a new program of boxing and eating healthy will help him shed blockers better and carry the defense like he did in 2010. He can play like he did that year, he will get that desired extention.