Nicholas Alexander Barnett (born May 27, 1981 in Barstow, California) is an American Football linebacker who currently plays for the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. The Packers drafted him out of Oregon State University in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft with the 29th overall selection.
Many consider Barnett to be a strong and consistent football player. Barnett and his defensive teammates have not had a steady defensive coordinator for more than four years. In 2006 the Packers hired Bob Sanders as their fourth defensive coordinator in as many years. Despite instability in the coaching staff, Barnett and the other Packers linebackers have established themselves as some of the better linebackers in the league. Barnett has anchored the young linebacking corps ever since his rookie year in 2003, and has been the starting middle linebacker of the Green Bay Packers from Day 1 of his NFL career.
On April 10, 2007, Barnett signed a six year contract extension worth $34.85 million, after extended negotiations with Packers management.
