GREEN BAY – If the Green Bay Packers decide not to bring defensive end-turned-outside linebacker Aaron Kampman back, the unrestricted free agent certainly would make sense for not one but two of the Packers’ NFC North division rivals.

As Kampman inched closer to free agency and struggled with his transition to outside linebacker in the Packers’ new 3-4 scheme last season, some reasoned that the Minnesota Vikings, who signed Kampman to a restricted free-agent offer in April 2005 that the Packers matched, might be a perfect landing spot opposite All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen. The Vikings run a 4-3 scheme, and Kampman was a two-time Pro Bowl selection in the Packers’ old 4-3 defense.

Now that Kampman has come to the end of the four-year, $21 million deal he signed on the eve of the 2006 free-agency period, there’s a Chicago Bear suggesting that Kampman would fit with his team, too.

Bears defensive end Alex Brown, speaking to Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune, suggested that the Bears should go after Kampman in free agency.

The Bears, who run a 4-3 defense, need defensive line help following the death of Gaines Adams and with Adewale Ogunleye headed for free agency. And Brown, who ranked second to Ogunleye on the Bears in sacks with 6 (Ogunleye had 6.5) thinks Kampman would be the perfect choice.

"I would love to have Wale (Ogunleye) back, but I'm not sure if they're going to go that road," Brown told the Tribune. "If not, Aaron Kampman would be pretty darn good. He plays hard and he plays with heart."

Kampman, 30, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on Nov. 22 against San Francisco and had reconstructive surgery about a month later. Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Kampman is way ahead of schedule on his rehabilitation, and the team has repeatedly said publicly that it believes Kampman can be successful in the 3-4 system.

The other issue with Kampman is how his position switch and his injury will impact his price tag. Of his 54 career sacks, only 3.5 came in the 3-4 defense last season. The Packers could also use the franchise tag on Kampman – in order to keep him, or as a way to control where he would end up via trade.

Regardless, Kampman would be a cheaper free-agent alternative for a team than Carolina's Julius Peppers, who could be the most expensive player in the unrestricted market. Brown, for one, would rather have Kampman, whom he told the Tribune he doesn’t have a relationship with – yet.

"Peppers is a heck of an athlete, and I'm actually really cool with him," Brown said."But a guy who is going to be paid that much money ... you can address a lot of other positions (with the money) as oppose to just one,” Brown said. “I think Kampman (can), I think Wale can do the job. It's all up to management. It's not up to me. I don't have to pay them. Whoever we get, I'm sure they'll make the best decision for the team.

"After the games, I've talked to (Kampman). I wouldn't say I was friends with him. But if his (phone) number fell in my lap, I'd definitely call him."