Nick Perry won't be with the Green Bay Packers in 2019.  On Tuesday, the Packers announced they have released the veteran outside linebacker.  This comes on the heels of the Packers agreeing to terms with free-agent edge rushers Preston Smith and Za'Darius Smith as well as free-agent safety Adrian Amos.  With the move, the Packers will save over $3 million of salary cap space but they will take on an $11 million dead cap hit as well. 

Perry suffered a knee injury against the Miami Dolphins on Nov. 11 and was then placed on injured reserve towards the end of the month.  Perry didn't need surgery on the knee but that was the second consecutive season the veteran outside linebacker has been placed on IR.  In 2018, Perry finished the year with 24 tackles, 1.5 sacks and three passes defended in nine games. 

In 2017, Perry played in 12 games and he finished second on the team in sacks with seven.  Not bad numbers for Perry, but it was a down year for him considering he recorded a career-high 11 sacks in 2016.  Even though Perry did not have the same production when it comes to sacks, he was productive when he was on the field, finishing with a Pro Football Focus grade of 80.5 which was the 38th-best grade for edge rushers.  Like in 2018, the problem with Perry in 2017 was injuries.  He missed a quarter of the season because of health issues and was placed on injured reserve in Week 17. 

After the 2016 season, Perry signed a five-year, $59.8 million contract.  And the reason Perry signed a big contract extension is what he was able to do in 2016.  In 14 games, Perry recorded 52 tackles, 12 tackles for loss 11 sacks, one interception and four passes defended.  He was not named to the Pro Bowl, but he was a big reason why the Packers finished the year with a 10-6 record and reached the NFC Championship game. 

It's not a real surprise the Packers have moved on from Perry.  Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com named the top cut candidates in each conference and Perry is ranked No.  2 in the NFC when it comes to "strong candidates for release."  Here's a look at what Rosenthal had to say about Perry. 

"Perry has only been healthy enough to play more than 550 snaps once in his seven-year career.  That season (2016) is what afforded him the huge deal that the Packers will now likely get out of." 

Before the 2018 season came to an end, Perry talked about his future with the Packers. 

“Look, I treat every year as a year to compete and be a team player,” Perry said when asked about his future with the Packers. “ To the powers that be that have control over the situations, that’s out of my deal.  If Gutey (general manager Brian Gutekunst) and everybody else wants me to be back, I’ll be back.  I’m not concerned.  My conscience is clear.  I’m moving forward in the right direction.  Yeah, we’re going to keep rolling.”