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Packers' Kirksey benefits from familiar face in new location

Green Bay's Christian Kirksey believes his history with his new defensive coordinator will help the veteran linebacker make a smooth transition as he switches teams for the first time.

Kirksey signed with the Packers in March after he was released by Cleveland, where he spent his first six NFL seasons. Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine was the Browns' head coach in 2014-15.

'œHonestly, as soon as I opened the playbook, man, I was so familiar with it and his defense,' Kirksey said Wednesday in a Zoom session with reporters.

The unusual nature of the pandemic-imposed virtual offseason could hinder players who changed teams and haven't gotten accustomed to their new surroundings.