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Former Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk will conduct his scheduled visit with team officials on Monday, according to multiple reports. Bengals.com beat writer Geoff Hobson was the first to report a possible visit this week. Hawk, who turned 31 in January, was born in Kettering, grew up in Centerville and attended the Ohio State University -- home always is a powerful motivator in sports.
It's debatable what role Hawk would actually have; given that the team re-signed Rey Maualuga to a three-year deal worth $15 million, he's probably not projected as a starter. It would seem more likely that he'd play a backup role as an insurance policy just in case Vontaze Burfict, recovering from multiple injuries in 2014, isn't ready for the upcoming regular season.
The Packers released Hawk last month with a "failed physical" designation, saving $3.5 million against the salary cap -- which is astonishing because Hawk has only missed eight of 144 regular season games in his career.
According to ESPN's Ben Goessling, the Minnesota Vikings have also expressed interest in the veteran linebacker.
The franchise-leader with 1,118 tackles, concluded a nine-year run in Green Bay, which started with a first round draft selection in the 2006 NFL draft. His best season was the Packers' Super Bowl year of 2010, when he was selected to his only Pro Bowl. Astonishingly, Hawk has only missed eight games during his career.