Packers' Hayward expects to hit open market

Casey Hayward has a strong feeling he won't be resigning with the Green Bay Packers before free agency begins.

The 26-year-old cornerback told ESPN's Rob Demovsky that he hasn't heard anything from the Packers about a new deal yet and is prepared to hit the open market next month.

"They normally wait til closer to the deadline," Hayward said via text message. "But we shall see. I'll probably hit the market."

As Demovsky notes, it's rare for the Packers to allow a young, productive, homegrown player like Hayward to walk after their first contract expires, but they have enough depth at the cornerback position to warrant such a move.

The Packers used their first two picks in the 2015 draft on cornerbacks Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins, who combined for 89 tackles, five interceptions, and 20 passes defended. They also have Sam Shields, Demetri Goodson, and LaDarius Gunter under contract for at least two more seasons.

Hayward, a 2012 second-round pick out of Vanderbilt, started 11 games last season while spending the majority of his time in the slot, helping the Packers hold slot receivers to a league-low 56.2 percent completion percentage.