At the onset of free agency last night, the chances of Green Bay re-signing offensive tackle Chad Clifton to a new contract seemed to be pretty slim. But after a day of negotiations and a few conversations with the Redskins, Clifton decided that the Packers offer was the best for him and his family, and signed a new deal with the team earlier this evening.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Clifton’s new contract is for three years and $20 million, with $7.5 million guaranteed. This is definitely a big move for Green Bay, as without Clifton they would have been left with almost no one to man the edge against opposing pass rushers next fall. That alone would have ensured a first round pick of a tackle in the draft, but that may still happen given the lack of talent behind Clifton and around him on the line.