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Packer Second-Round Pick Agrees to Surprisingly Low Contract

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers’ second-round pick, Anthony Belton, has signed a surprisingly low contract, sources confirmed to ESPN. After initially holding out and facing a team ultimatum to sign before training camp on July 23, 2025, Belton is now fully committed to chasing a Super Bowl with the Packers.

Drafted 54th overall from NC State, Belton inked a four-year, $7.2 million deal with just $1.8 million guaranteed, per Spotrac. This is notably below the $8.01 million benchmark with $2.466 million in guaranteed money typically expected for mid-second-round picks, according to CBS Sports.

Why offensive lineman Anthony Belton is the only draft pick left to sign  his rookie contract with the Packers

Belton, a 6’6”, 336-pound offensive tackle nicknamed “Big Escalade” for his smooth athleticism, initially pushed for a fully guaranteed contract, stalling talks through minicamp, per Packers On SI. His holdout echoed rare cases of draft picks threatening to sit out, but the Packers’ firm deadline prompted a change of heart.

“I thought about holding out for more guarantees, maybe pushing for a bigger deal,” Belton said, per Packers.com. “But I realized I want to be part of this team’s Super Bowl run. Green Bay’s where I belong, and I’m all-in.”

Belton’s 33 starts at left tackle for NC State and his standout Senior Bowl performance make him a versatile fit for Green Bay’s offensive line, which includes free agent Aaron Banks and rookie Jordan Morgan. Offensive line coach Luke Butkus praised Belton’s lateral movement, noting his potential to compete at guard or tackle, per SI.com.

The Packers, coming off a 2024 Divisional Round appearance, are banking on Belton to bolster their line as they aim to challenge NFC powerhouses like the Philadelphia Eagles. With $12.4 million in cap space, GM Brian Gutekunst lauded Belton’s team-first mindset: “Anthony’s sacrifice shows he’s a Packer for life,” he said, per PackersNews.com.

Fans on Reddit’s r/GreenBayPackers erupted with excitement: “Big Escalade’s locked in!” one user posted. The signing resolves one of two holdouts, with fourth-rounder Barryn Sorrell still unsigned as of July 4, 2025, per The Athletic.

As training camp nears, Belton’s commitment fuels optimism for a deep playoff run. Can he help pave the way for a Super Bowl LIX appearance? Stay tuned to ESPN for updates!

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Packers Cheerleader Sues a Packers Player for Harassment by Flirting with Her While Already Married
Can you believe it? A charming, dynamic cheerleader from the Green Bay Packers is "exploding" and dragging a team player to court for "unforgivable" behaviors! Abigale Licciardi – the star of the Packers Cheer Squad – has officially filed a lawsuit, and the drama behind it is stirring up NFL fans! Could this be the "biggest scandal" in Packers history? Read now to discover the "scorching" details! Abigale Licciardi, a professional cheerleader for the American football team Green Bay Packers in the NFL, is a prominent member of the Packers Cheer Squad group. She is a former student at the University of Wisconsin, where she participated in the local cheer squad and dance activities. Before that, Abigale was a dancer for NBA events and holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Marquette University. Abigale is active on social media, often sharing about games at Lambeau Field, community activities, and her role as a brand ambassador for the Packers. As part of the Packers Cheer Squad team consisting of about 47 members (combining male and female), Abigale participates in fan interactions, charity events like "Dream On 3," and performances at Packers games. She has an Instagram account (@abigalelicciardi) with posts about cheer life and a TikTok (@abigale_packers) where she shares videos about game days and dance routines. Before joining the Packers, she worked at a local event company, proving her versatility and passion. But the "nightmare" struck when Abigale got "entangled" with a Packers player! That's Mike Thornton, a backup defensive end who rarely plays for the Packers – a guy who's practically "anonymous" to fans, only playing sporadically on special teams and never a pillar. Thornton, 29 years old, has been married since 2021 to his wife, a community nurse, and they have two young children (one boy and one girl). Yet, according to Abigale's lawsuit, Thornton has been "flirting" with her recklessly, despite his happy family life! The "explosion" happened when Thornton started sending "sweet" messages to Abigale via Instagram, praising her smile and energy after performances. At first, Abigale thought it was just friendly praise from a teammate, but things quickly "crossed the line" into harassment! Thornton called her in the middle of the night – sometimes at 1-2 a.m. – to "share" about playing pressures, invite her for private dinners, and even send "suggestive" videos filmed at the gym! Abigale stated in the lawsuit: "He knows I only focus on my career and the team, but he won't stop. Those midnight calls make me anxious and stressed, severely affecting my performance!" According to insider sources, Thornton has been "stalking" Abigale since preseason, frequently "lingering" at community events she attends, and intentionally "creating situations" to approach her. Thornton's wife, upon learning, went "crazy" and threatened to break up, but the guy remains "blind"! The Packers are "shaken" by this scandal: The team management has temporarily isolated Thornton for investigation, while fans are divided – one side defends Abigale's "brave accusation," the other suspects it's a "staged script." The NFL league is also intervening, which could lead to heavy fines or removal from the roster! Abigale, with her "queen" image on TikTok and Instagram, is now becoming a "victim" of harassment – a thorny issue in the sports world! How will the court punish Thornton? And will the Packers "clean up" the team to protect their cheerleaders? Don't miss out – follow now for the next "drama" update! What do you think about this case, comment below!