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The Packers had been negotiating with cornerback Sam Shields. Shields is now ready to negotiate with other teams.

Per a league source, Shields won’t sign with the Packers before March 8, the day on which other teams may contact the agents for players due to become free agents on March 11.

The four-year veteran will test the market before making a decision on his next NFL contract.

The news comes at a time when some think that Shields is close to signing with the Packers.

Undrafted in 2010, Shields has spent four seasons in Green Bay. He started 14 games in 2013 playing under a restricted free agency tender that paid $2.023 million.

The Packers could still use the franchise tag on Shields. But it would cost them $11.834 million in cash and cap space on a one-year deal.