Brandon McManus

[Heyjoe4]

I’d like to see us upgrade at CB and Edge in FA. They don’t need to be record breaking deals, but more an upgrade to what we lost with Preston and a good veteran CB that is reliable and that 2nd Tier Starter quality.

That opens an opportunity to draft another Day 2 WR to groom with a year of overlap. Then I’d keep 1 of either Watson or Doubs. I’d prefer Watson if he regains his health going forward. His ceiling is a little better and it’s harder to replace a deep threat like him.

Agreed. Gluuten needs to work his magic with the CB group as he did with the safeties this year. Find a FA to anchor the group and then use the draft. Depending on who they can land, it would make JA expendable (although I doubt he has much value given his injury history). And they certainly need another solid Edge guy and FA is the best place imo. I'm tired of waiting for LVN to show he belongs.

And I like your idea of taking a WR in round 2 if the value is there. I don't know how deep the WR position is in this draft. If they have enough cap, adding to the OL would be a third priority.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Certainly agree on the importance of the O line. I do think we got a little lucky on Doubs and Reed. Watson was basically a 1st rounder w/o the 5th year. I'm hoping we can keep them all. It opens up draft choices for O line and... I don't know what the money will be but it isn't like they are all number 1 receivers. Could be money very well spent imho. And you won't be able to beat the connection they will have with Love and LaFleur.

Yeah I don't see any reason they can't keep Watson, Reed, and Doubs. At the same time, I wouldn't get into a bidding war for any of them, as so often happens in FA.

 

[tynimiller]

I’d like to see us upgrade at CB and Edge in FA. They don’t need to be record breaking deals, but more an upgrade to what we lost with Preston and a good veteran CB that is reliable and that 2nd Tier Starter quality.

That opens an opportunity to draft another Day 2 WR to groom with a year of overlap. Then I’d keep 1 of either Watson or Doubs. I’d prefer Watson if he regains his health going forward. His ceiling is a little better and it’s harder to replace a deep threat like him.

I would love Azeez to come here in off season.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I’d like to see us upgrade at CB and Edge in FA.

I would add a DL to that list. The Packers will have to decide on Devonte Wyatt's 5th year option this off season. If they decline to exercise it, 2025 could be his last year in GB. Kenny Clark isn't living up to his big contract IMO. His contract is probably to big of a dead cap to get out of in 2025, but 2026 might be that year. I didn't realize that his "per game bonus" is $1M. I honestly prefer that type of incentive and payment in a contract. Since it probably isn't guaranteed.\

Anyway, while I like Wyatt, Slaton and Wooden for backups, a real game wrecker next to Kenny Clarke could really improve the Packers defense.

 

[milani]

Agreed. Gluuten needs to work his magic with the CB group as he did with the safeties this year. Find a FA to anchor the group and then use the draft. Depending on who they can land, it would make JA expendable (although I doubt he has much value given his injury history). And they certainly need another solid Edge guy and FA is the best place imo. I'm tired of waiting for LVN to show he belongs.

And I like your idea of taking a WR in round 2 if the value is there. I don't know how deep the WR position is in this draft. If they have enough cap, adding to the OL would be a third priority.

Get tired of drafting DBs the last 10 years. But whatever. I think JA's dead money is 19 mill if we let him go. And no one would make an outright trade for his price if they can get him cheaper.

 

[gopkrs]

I would add a DL to that list. The Packers will have to decide on Devonte Wyatt's 5th year option this off season. If they decline to exercise it, 2025 could be his last year in GB. Kenny Clark isn't living up to his big contract IMO. His contract is probably to big of a dead cap to get out of in 2025, but 2026 might be that year. I didn't realize that his "per game bonus" is $1M. I honestly prefer that type of incentive and payment in a contract. Since it probably isn't guaranteed.\

Anyway, while I like Wyatt, Slaton and Wooden for backups, a real game wrecker next to Kenny Clarke could really improve the Packers defense.

Wyatt's been playing very well lately imho. Hope he keeps it up. I really want to see another spin move from him.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Wyatt's been playing very well lately imho. Hope he keeps it up. I really want to see another spin move from him.

It is good to see Wyatt playing better, but he would have to really improve IMO for the Packers to exercise his 5th year option, which is predicted to be around $13.09M.

Quay Walker's 5th year option is listed at $16.06M, I think I would bet the house on the Packers not picking that one up.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Get tired of drafting DBs the last 10 years. But whatever. I think JA's dead money is 19 mill if we let him go. And no one would make an outright trade for his price if they can get him cheaper.

I agree. There were three years where I think the first two picks were CBs and safeties. I don't know what the FA market looks like but that would be the place to start.

As for JA, well if there's no way to recapture any value, may as well keep him. He's usually pretty good when he actually plays.

 

[gopkrs]

It is good to see Wyatt playing better, but he would have to really improve IMO for the Packers to exercise his 5th year option, which is predicted to be around $13.09M.

Quay Walker's 5th year option is listed at $16.06M, I think I would bet the house on the Packers not picking that one up.

But they may still want to sign them for less money if they could.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

But they may still want to sign them for less money if they could.

No doubt they will probably try to retain both guys, depending on next season and their asking prices. That said, I think you go into the 2025 draft looking for their replacements.

 

[Heyjoe4]

No doubt they will probably try to retain both guys, depending on next season and their asking prices. That said, I think you go into the 2025 draft looking for their replacements.

Wyatt at $13 mil is ok with me. Walker at $16 mil is a non-starter. Wyatt has shown flashes, but it's hard to say he has much more upside after all this time. Walker may very well play better with Cooper on the field. Even so, he's not worth $16mil/year.

Two areas I think Gluten should address this offseason, starting with FA - CB and Edge. If there is still any cap, go for a DL as well. Worst case as you say, address it in the draft - early.

 

[tynimiller]

No doubt they will probably try to retain both guys, depending on next season and their asking prices. That said, I think you go into the 2025 draft looking for their replacements.

I still think a one year extension rather than 5th year option could be the way to keep Quay around to test the waters of a him and Cooper combo longer and make it grossly more affordable than a fifth year option.

Be like the Love thing they did. Presently Quay's hit for 2025 is $4.4 Million. They could bump that to say $8M and make 2026 be same or up to $10M...so a bump of $12M to $14M with more money in Quay's pocket upfront and he gets a bump in pay while also not making packers have to play the fifth year option game where the team doesn't want to go to.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I still think a one year extension rather than 5th year option could be the way to keep Quay around to test the waters of a him and Cooper combo longer and make it grossly more affordable than a fifth year option.

Be like the Love thing they did. Presently Quay's hit for 2025 is $4.4 Million. They could bump that to say $8M and make 2026 be same or up to $10M...so a bump of $12M to $14M with more money in Quay's pocket upfront and he gets a bump in pay while also not making packers have to play the fifth year option game where the team doesn't want to go to.

Good idea. I do think Walker can play to his strengths when Cooper is on the field. I think Walker is good in coverage and a decent, not spectacular, tackler. Stunting with Cooper may give hm a chance to blitz more. His weakness seems to be defending the run. But this is just instinct. Numbers could prove me wrong. I just don't see a lot of production from a guy who is so athletic and rangy.

Anyway, your suggestion makes sense and keeps Walker around for at least another year at a reasonable price.

 

[milani]

I agree. There were three years where I think the first two picks were CBs and safeties. I don't know what the FA market looks like but that would be the place to start.

As for JA, well if there's no way to recapture any value, may as well keep him. He's usually pretty good when he actually plays.

We could not afford the hit of letting him go and no team would take his salary outright.

 

[tynimiller]

We could not afford the hit of letting him go and no team would take his salary outright.

Can you unpack that first part? I'm not following this.

That cap savings would be around $6.7M if we traded, cut/released. I'm not a proponent of that just adding a figure to what it would look like.

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While he is going to his us for $25M, a team acquiring him isn't on the hook for that $30M guaranteed through bonus and he would hit them for less than $20M which truly isn't a bad deal for a team CB hungry and thinks a new scene may do Jaire good and they know when healthy he's a top tier CB still.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Can you unpack that first part? I'm not following this.

That cap savings would be around $6.7M if we traded, cut/released. I'm not a proponent of that just adding a figure to what it would look like.

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While he is going to his us for $25M, a team acquiring him isn't on the hook for that $30M guaranteed through bonus and he would hit them for less than $20M which truly isn't a bad deal for a team CB hungry and thinks a new scene may do Jaire good and they know when healthy he's a top tier CB still.

Thanks for the numbers - makes it easier to look at JA's situation. Even if Gluten could get something in a trade - cap reduction or a draft pick - I just don't see JA as having much market value. His All Pro year is well behind him, he has missed a lot of games, although he is a great corner when healthy.

If the Packers can find a team willing to trade though, almost any cap relief and a pick would be better than the current situation.

You probably know this - what happens when a guy misses as many games as JA? Does the team still have to pay him, does the player have insurance to cover such situations, or is it just tough luck?

 

[tynimiller]

Thanks for the numbers - makes it easier to look at JA's situation. Even if Gluten could get something in a trade - cap reduction or a draft pick - I just don't see JA as having much market value. His All Pro year is well behind him, he has missed a lot of games, although he is a great corner when healthy.

If the Packers can find a team willing to trade though, almost any cap relief and a pick would be better than the current situation.

You probably know this - what happens when a guy misses as many games as JA? Does the team still have to pay him, does the player have insurance to cover such situations, or is it just tough luck?

He is getting paid.

 

[Pkrjones]

Jaire's cap# in '24 was $23.494mil, & he's played in 7 gammes. Did we get anywhere close to $3.356mil PER GAME?? 2 interceptions, 7 passes defended, 16 tackles... for $23.494mil. GB had his play for 7 games in '23, & 7 games in '24... he's already broken down. Does anyone expect him to play more in '25? He's "only" 28, but getting older every day.

 

[tynimiller]

Jaire's cap# in '24 was $23.494mil, & he's played in 7 gammes. Did we get anywhere close to $3.356mil PER GAME?? 2 interceptions, 7 passes defended, 16 tackles... for $23.494mil. GB had his play for 7 games in '23, & 7 games in '24... he's already broken down. Does anyone expect him to play more in '25? He's "only" 28, but getting older every day.

Honestly, yes. He is without a doubt our best CB and when he's played our defense is different.

 

[Heyjoe4]

He is getting paid.

Thanks. Well I guess that's a risk all teams take when signing a player in a brutal sport to a lt contract with a lot of money up front. It's the cost of doing business and every team faces it. The Packers have had their share, just between JA and Bakhtiari.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Jaire is our new version of Bakhtiari. A very talented player at their position, gets a huge contract and then is unavailable for a large portion of it. At least with Bahk, he didn't waste a roster spot while injured.

This is absolutely why I hate big guaranteed contracts. Nothing guarantees that the player will be able to play and actually earn the money he is paid.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I still think a one year extension rather than 5th year option could be the way to keep Quay around to test the waters of a him and Cooper combo longer and make it grossly more affordable than a fifth year option.

Be like the Love thing they did. Presently Quay's hit for 2025 is $4.4 Million. They could bump that to say $8M and make 2026 be same or up to $10M...so a bump of $12M to $14M with more money in Quay's pocket upfront and he gets a bump in pay while also not making packers have to play the fifth year option game where the team doesn't want to go to.

While Quay's cap hit for 2025 is $4.4M, Quay will only be paid $2,592,497 in 2025. He got the rest up front with his rookie deal. So while I like your idea of extending him for a 5th season (2026), I would approach him with "Hey, instead of $2.592M for 2025, how about we pay you $6M up front (guaranteed) and for an additional year of your services (2026), we will give you another $10M if you make the roster. That gives the Packers Quay for 2025 and the ability to decide if he is worth $10M/year after that season.

Quay is a tricky call. Yes, I think he has improved and he is our second best option at LB behind Cooper, but I think anything past $7 or 8M/is above his proven pay grade at this point. If he has a stellar 2025, than the Packers have another year at $10M. If not, they cut or trade him.

The other part to factor in, if they let him walk after next season, that goes in on the plus side for a compensatory pick.

 

[tynimiller]

While Quay's cap hit for 2025 is $4.4M, Quay will only be paid $2,592,497 in 2025. He got the rest up front with his rookie deal. So while I like your idea of extending him for a 5th season (2026), I would approach him with "Hey, instead of $2.592M for 2025, how about we pay you $6M up front (guaranteed) and for an additional year of your services (2026), we will give you another $10M if you make the roster. That gives the Packers Quay for 2025 and the ability to decide if he is worth $10M/year after that season.

Quay is a tricky call. Yes, I think he has improved and he is our second best option at LB behind Cooper, but I think anything past $7 or 8M/is above his proven pay grade at this point. If he has a stellar 2025, than the Packers have another year at $10M. If not, they cut or trade him.

The other part to factor in, if they let him walk after next season, that goes in on the plus side for a compensatory pick.

Yeah misread his alotted amount, same concept just scale back numbers a couple million to yours and it is same practice.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Yeah misread his alotted amount, same concept just scale back numbers a couple million to yours and it is same practice.

and not guarantee any of the 2026 money.

 

[tynimiller]

and not guarantee any of the 2026 money.

eh I think you'd have to do some but it could easily be in that sub $4M level which is easily walked from but also you gotta give him about $10M of that $16M fifth year option level to likely get his camp to say yes to it.