The Green Bay Packers announced Wednesday that they have exercised their right of first refusal and have matched the Minnesota Vikings' offer sheet to defensive end Aaron Kampman, a restricted free agent, and that the fourth-year professional thus will remain in a Green Bay uniform. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations made the announcement.
The 25-year-old Kampman was a consistent player on the Packers' 2004 defensive line, starting all 16 games for the first time in his career, as well as the NFC Wild Card game against Minnesota (Jan. 9).
Kampman (6-foot-4, 284 pounds) led the Green Bay defensive line with a career-high 77 tackles and tied for second on the team with 41/2 sacks, also a career mark. In addition, he notched one fumble recovery, one forced fumble and three passes defensed.
The University of Iowa alumnus initially came to Green Bay as a fifth round draft pick (156th overall) in 2002.
If the Packers had elected not to exercise their right of first refusal, the Vikings would have owed Green Bay a fifth-round selection in this weekend's NFL Draft.
