Packers are re-signing Tyler Lancaster, per report

The Packers are re-signing defensive lineman Tyler Lancaster according to a report from ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. Lancaster had been a restricted free agent this spring but the Packers elected not to tender him, instead bringing him back on what projects as a veteran’s minimum contract.

Lancaster tested well at Northwestern’s pro day in 2018, but hasn’t translated his traits into production. Though his play improved down the stretch in 2020 as the Packers played more base defense, Lancaster is more or less just a run stopper, and not a particularly exciting one at that.

In three years with the Packers, he’s recorded exactly three tackles for a loss and has managed just 1.5 sacks to go with three quarterback hits. In short, he’s pretty much just a big body, and not a terribly productive one.

The Packers seem to be choosing familiarity over the unknown, choosing to go with a veteran they know versus a younger addition they don’t, whether it’s through the draft or via a post-draft signing. Maybe that familiarity plus a new defensive system leads to better results for Lancaster, but the safer bet seems to go into this season with very low expectations until he proves otherwise.