First reported by Adam Schefter, the Green Bay Packers signed LB Brandon Chillar to a 4 year contract extension for $21 million. About $7 million is guaranteed, but he's almost certain to receive the $9.5 million he's due before the end of 2010. That's a lot of money for a sometime starter who will probably be the backup behind LB A.J. Hawk for the rest of the season. But they had to pay him more than LB Brady Poppinga, who received a 4 year, $17 million extension last year. At least Chillar starts sometimes.

I don't like either contract given to Chillar or Poppinga, LB Desmond Bishop is probably just as good for a fraction of the price, but I'm willing to give GM Ted Thompson a pass here. Overall he's done a great job at identifying talent in the draft and avoiding high price free agent busts. But he's a former backup LB himself, and he apparently has a sweet spot for them. So long as it doesn't stop the Packers from signing important potential free agents such as FS Nick Collins.