Category: Packers

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Addressing Aaron Rodger’s Contract

Now that Matt Ryan is the NFL’s first $30 million a year player, everything is in place for the Green Bay Packers to extend Aaron Rodgers’ contract.

What will that historic deal look like?

The short answer and best guess is that Rodgers’ impending contract extension will average between $31 million and $32 million in new money to Ryan’s $30 million, and include a full guarantee in the $110 million range, which would top Ryan’s $100 million guarantee.

Could Rodgers squeeze more out of the Packers? Maybe. He ranks with Tom Brady as the two best quarterbacks in the game.

But Rodgers also has to ask himself, how much more money is worth it? Players want to be paid what they can get, but legacies are burnished by Super Bowls above all else, and the higher his salary, the more it cuts into the Packers’ ability to put talent around him. That’s what Rodgers and his agent, David Dunn, have to weigh in their negotiations.

As a Packers fan, and a huge Aaron Rodgers fan, I highly doubt he’ll walk away from Green Bay. He has family here, friends, and is a huge presence throughout Green Bay. All that, including his teammates, is a hard situation to walk away from.

At the end of the day Rodgers needs the best possible roster surrounding him to ward off anyone saying he’ll leave. He is in the twilight of his career and deserves the best the Green Bay Packers organization can provide him with. 

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Packers Unlikely to Resign Remaining Free Agents

It’s been a busy offseason for the new-look Packer’s management staff as the front office has shaken up the roster. From free agent signing, to the draft, the roster has definitely been reshaped. This leaves the reality that some of the roster from the 2017 season will not return.

Among the remaining free agents that Green Bay has not extended offers to are long snapper Brett Goode, linebacker Ahmad Brooks, guard Jahri Evans, and defensive lineman Quinton Dial.

Goode, who has been with Green Bay since 2008, is probably the most notable player not returning. He signed a 1-year deal last year after being released by Green Bay. The Packers drafted another long snapper, Hunter Bradley, during the 2018 draft, which likely signaled the end of Goode’s tenure in Green Bay. 

 

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5 Veteran Candidates Facing Offseason Cuts

It’s a busy time of year for the Green Bay Packers and their fans. We are a little past a week since the 2018 draft, and there is speculation that cuts will be made soon to shave off unneeded parts of the roster.

The first cut that could and is likely to happen is conerback, Demetri Goodson. The Packers are currently carrying nine cornerbacks on their roster as a result of drafting Jaire Alexander and Joshua Jackson. While that’s good for their depth at the top of their position, it means people who originally could’ve or have made the roster in the past are likely in trouble this time around. As is the case with Goodson.

Goodson was taken in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft and technically should’ve been a free agent by now. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury in November of 2016 and missed over a year of football which means his contract “tolls” for another season. Thus, he’s eligible to play one more season for Green Bay under his rookie contract.

Unless he’s released which is the case in this scenario. Given the talent on the roster and the fact he hasn’t played since 2016, Goodson has an uphill battle to climb. A battle he ends up losing.

Michael Clark is next on the list of possible cuts. At 6-foot-6, Clark ran a 4.53 40-yard dash time which are the measurables that catch most peoples attention. Unfortunately, he is a long shot to make the roster with Davante Adams, Randal Cobb, Geronimo Allison and the three 2018 rookies ahead of him on the roster.

Next up is another wide receiver, Trevor Davis. After being selected out of the University of California in the fifth round of the 2016 draft, Davis’ stay with the Packers is going to be a short one. The speedster hasn’t proven to be reliable and has questionable hands at best. In two seasons with Green Bay, he’s only caught eight balls for 94 yards and one touchdown.

His job as the team’s primary punt and kick returner is also in jeopardy with the addition of Alexander. Fortunately, that might end his time fair-catching punts inside the 10-yard line.

Brett Hundley is also among possible cut candidates. If that’s the case, look for Hundley to get cut at the end of the preseason. Historically, Mike McCarthy only prefers to take two quarterbacks into the regular season. That allows him to carry an extra wide receiver or cornerback which is especially important this season.

Even though the Packers also released Joe Callahan, look for them to bring him (or another quarterback) back to the practice squad so they can keep another thrower under their wing.

Davon House rounds off the list of possible cuts. If healthy Kevin King figures to man an outside corner position full time with some combination of Tramon Williams and Joshua Jackson holding down the other spot. Jaire Alexander will likely slide into the slot with the odd man out of Williams and Jackson, creating a formidable four-man rotation.

Even after them, Quinten Rollins, the former second-round pick, could look to earn some reps along with Lenzy Pipkins, Herb Waters and Josh Hawkins. House is likely more talented than all four, but they contribute on special teams and could be seen as up-and-coming players. That’s not even mentioning the unique abilities of Joshua Jackson and Oren Burks. The two figure to spend at least part of their time covering backs and tight ends out of the slot and backfield.

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Green Bay Makes Positive Moves in 2018 Draft

The Green Bay Packers addressed their biggest need in the 2018 NFL Draft by making their first two picks cornerbacks. Jaire Alexander and Joshua Jackson bring much-needed speed, athleticism, and playmaking ability into the secondary.

Those two alone should shore up a unit that bled yards in chunks last season. And even beyond them, the Packers made some very intriguing picks that should make them feel a whole lot better heading into training camp this summer.

They also added an athletic freak in Oren Burks at outside linebacker, an offensive tackle Cole Madison, a punter JK Scott, three wide receivers J’Mon Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown, as well as a defensive tackle, a long-snapper and another outside linebacker to end the draft.

Overall, the Packers hit every need on their roster and the 2018 season should be an interesting one. I expect big things this year from our defense which was absolutely pitiful for us last season. 

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Packers Shake Up Roster With Offseason Transactions

The new year has brought numerous big changes to the Green Bay Packers’ roster. With a shuffle of personnel in the front office, new leadership at the general manager position has led to the departure of several big name players, as well as the arrival of new pieces.

Perhaps the biggest and most shocking offseason transaction is the release of fan favorite and 3rd on the all time Packers receiving list, wide receiver Jordy Nelson. Nelson, who turns 33 in May, was let go due to the team’s desire to go younger at the wideout spot. While the move was very unexpected to fans of the team, as well as players on the roster, it was a business decision at the end of the day. Nelson, who was nearing the end of his four-year contract he signed in 2014, was owed over $10 million by the team. In order to free up cap space to retain other free agent players, the Packers ultimately decided to move on from the aging Nelson. Aside from an outpouring of emotion from Green Bay Packers fans, franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers was notably upset with the release of his favorite teammate. Rodgers expressed that he was “shocked” and “saddened” by the team’s sudden decision to release Nelson.

On the same day the Packers released Nelson, they signed standout tight end Jimmy Graham. Graham, a free agent after a two year tenure in Seattle, will look to form quick chemistry with Aaron Rodgers, especially after the departure of Jordy Nelson. Graham and the Packers agreed to a three-year, $30 million dollar contract. It is expected Graham will have a big impact on the team.

On the defensive side of the ball, Green Bay lost veteran safety and defensive captain Morgan Burnett. Burnett, whose numbers declined last season, became a free agent at the end of 2017. The Packers opted not to resign him, and he was ultimately offered a three-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Packers also traded away safety Demarious Randall to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for quarterback DeShone Kizer.

The 2018 season is shaping up to be an interesting one for the Green Bay Packers, as they look to rebound from their completely disappointing outing in 2017.

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Packers Free Agency 2018: Possible Departures and Signings

With free agency looming, it is very possible that the Green Bay Packers may look to shake things up throughout the roster.

For starters, the team’s offensive line may look a little different heading into next season. There is speculation that the team might cut ties with longtime tackle Bryan Bulaga who has faced multiple injuries throughout the past two years, making him not very dependable. He is signed through 2020 and owed just under 7 million a year. Expect the team to look for possible replacements for him if they cut Bulaga lose.

The Packers could look to bring back former offensive guard Josh Sitton as Bulaga’s replacement. Sitton played both guard and tackle for the Packers before, and they could look to use him at both slots going into 2018.

The Pack could also look to target offensive lineman Duane Brown of the Seattle Seahawks as a new weapon. Brown is expected to be a salary cap casualty going into next season and the Seahawks have little money to spare on an already money-maxed out defensive team.

Taking a look at the Packer’s receiving core could be a little different going into next season as well. The team is currently using Geranimo Allison in the WR4 spot, but could look to replace his mostly unproductiveness with Philadelphia Eagles receiver Torrey Smith. Smith has been a reliable player for last organizations and he would likely take a lower scale salary to sign with a playoff contender like Green Bay.

The Packers could also look into signing Baltimore Raven’s receiver Jeremy Maclin who is another likely casualty of the salary cap. With an aging Jordy Nelson and a unreliable young receiver in Trevor Davis, the Packers could look to new options to satisfy their production needs.