Devin Funchess has opted out of the 2020 season

[Heyjoe4]

Williams is the epitome of role player...if dillion is as good as aaron jones keeping williams would work but I'd much rather have jones as rb1 and dillion rb2 because I highly doubt dillon is as good as jones

This is probably how things will work out next year - they'll find a way to pay Jones, let Williams walk, and let Dillon earn the #2 spot. I hate to see Williams go. On the other hand, we've had a solid backfield for the last two years, and that has helped the entire offense. This is why they have a salary cap.

 

[tynimiller]

This is probably how things will work out next year - they'll find a way to pay Jones, let Williams walk, and let Dillon earn the #2 spot. I hate to see Williams go. On the other hand, we've had a solid backfield for the last two years, and that has helped the entire offense. This is why they have a salary cap.

The cap casualties are already going to be nuts, if we sign Jones UNLESS extremely creatively - I cannot fathom what other additional cuts will be made.

 

[Heyjoe4]

The cap casualties are already going to be nuts, if we sign Jones UNLESS extremely creatively - I cannot fathom what other additional cuts will be made.

Yeah we've seen this coming since Gluten acquired the Smiths, Amos, and Turner in FA. The piper has to be paid. I think it's down to keeping Jones or King. Or give Williams the starter job and hope Dillon performs like a #2. Linsley is likely gone as well. That's not a huge loss with Jenkins on the roster, but the OL depth will will need to be addressed early in the draft. Just my opinion, but the entire OL has over performed this year.

 

[tynimiller]

Yeah we've seen this coming since Gluten acquired the Smiths, Amos, and Turner in FA. The piper has to be paid. I think it's down to keeping Jones or King. Or give Williams the starter job and hope Dillon performs like a #2. Linsley is likely gone as well. That's not a huge loss with Jenkins on the roster, but the OL depth will will need to be addressed early in the draft. Just my opinion, but the entire OL has over performed this year.

To make cap even with not a full roster and 2021 draft I have us letting King, Linsley of course walk. Jones as well...maybe Willams.

Preston, Lowry, Wagner and Kirksey are cut 100% IMO as well just to make cap.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

To make cap even with not a full roster and 2021 draft I have us letting King, Linsley of course walk. Jones as well...maybe Willams.

Preston, Lowry, Wagner and Kirksey are cut 100% IMO as well just to make cap.

Free Agency is going to be the Wild West and crazy. There will only be a handful of teams with money to spend and a lot more Free Agents like the ones you listed (Preston, Lowry, etc.) that don't have a team because of the cap. Top desired players like Aaron Jones will get their big contracts from cap fat teams, but the other 75% of the vets are going to be out in the cold, waiting for the best 1 year deal they can find. Too bad the Packers don't have a lot of cap, because I think there are going to be some absolute bargains in Free Agency. It will be a buyers market, with a lot of "poor broke" buyers sitting on the sidelines watching. I wouldn't even go after the top dollar guys, I would invest all my cap in the guys who can't get big contracts due to nobody being able to afford them.

 

[tynimiller]

Free Agency is going to be the Wild West and crazy. There will only be a handful of teams with money to spend and a lot more Free Agents like the ones you listed (Preston, Lowry, etc.) that don't have a team because of the cap. Top desired players like Aaron Jones will get their big contracts from cap fat teams, but the other 75% of the vets are going to be out in the cold, waiting for the best 1 year deal they can find. Too bad the Packers don't have a lot of cap, because I think there are going to be some absolute bargains in Free Agency. It will be a buyers market, with a lot of "poor broke" buyers sitting on the sidelines watching. I wouldn't even go after the top dollar guys, I would invest all my cap in the guys who can't get big contracts due to nobody being able to afford them.

Yup it will be similar to my draft theory most of the time. Trade back and have a lot of 2nds/3rd/4ths to work with unless a bonafide no doubt stud is there at your 1st pick and even your 2nd if needed.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Yup it will be similar to my draft theory most of the time. Trade back and have a lot of 2nds/3rd/4ths to work with unless a bonafide no doubt stud is there at your 1st pick and even your 2nd if needed.

I agree on your strategy.

If every team decides to employ that strategy, which I doubt, even guys like Aaron Jones might be forced to sign a one year contract and wait until things get back to "normal".

Actually, I think there will be a record # of guys on 1 year deals. These won't really be "prove it" deals but more like "COVID-Bridge" deals.

 

[XPack]

Perhaps they'll restructure 12's contract to keep Jones.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Perhaps they'll restructure 12's contract to keep Jones.

I think they did that once since it was signed, I could be wrong?

Anything is possible, but after the year he has had and all the new QB contracts signed after his was inked, he might justifiably ask for more money in a restructured deal. I also don't think they drafted Love to just sit on the bench for 3 more years. At some point Aaron gets paid and with his career winding down, not so sure I would want to see his money be shoved out into the future anymore than it already is.

 

[tynimiller]

Perhaps they'll restructure 12's contract to keep Jones.

Problem is I think with Love pick, pushing more of AR's contract back isn't gonna happen...now a resign and back loaded Adams contract could "maybe" buy a year of AJ's....maybe.

 

[gopkrs]

I cannot believe Aaron Jones would sign a one year contract. Nor would I want him to. To be honest, I just like the guy too much. I think the signing bonus may be key for him. I hope we can keep him.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I have to admit that I'm surprised the Packers offense has been one of the best in the league while lacking proven talent at wide receiver behind Adams.

There's some reason to be cautious about as well though. Once opponents have been able to limit Adams' contribution the offense has struggled as no other receiver has been able to make a significant impact in those situations. Take a look at the Bucs game after the first two series as well as last week's contest against the Panthers starting with the fourth drive.

That might be an issue facing a good defense in the playoffs at some point.

Regarding the cap, I have mentioned repeatedly that the Packers could find a way to re-sign Jones. They would have to make several moves to make it work though.

With running backs being easier to replace than most other positions I prefer to let him walk away in free agency next offseason.

Yeah we've seen this coming since Gluten acquired the Smiths, Amos, and Turner in FA.

There was no way to predict a global pandemic to result in the cap dropping by double digit millions.

 

[Pugger]

I completely understand the disappointment in not drafting one this last year, and I also completely agree with the need to bring one in, especially a YAC weapon who could add a missing facet to the offense (i.e. Austin/Ervin's role but beefed up to add more receiving work). But I also think that, at this point, some posters have complained so much, for so long, that they're pot committed to the position sucking and being the downfall of the offense that they're darn near rooting for it. Which is... fun?

When the draft occurred last spring Fuchness was going to be that #2 guy so at the time WR wasn't seen as a big need to Gute and company. It wasn't until a couple of weeks later that Funchess opted out.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I have to admit that I'm surprised the Packers offense has been one of the best in the league while lacking proven talent at wide receiver behind Adams.

There's some reason to be cautious about as well though. Once opponents have been able to limit Adams' contribution the offense has struggled as no other receiver has been able to make a significant impact in those situations. Take a look at the Bucs game after the first two series as well as last week's contest against the Panthers starting with the fourth drive.

That might be an issue facing a good defense in the playoffs at some point.

Exactly. If I am a DC facing the Packers, I am doubling up on Adams, getting as much pressure on Rodgers and making #12 beat me with his other receivers. Obviously, that still can leave the running game and short passes to TE's and RB's. The Packer offense seems to struggle when Rodgers isn't given much time in the pocket and Adams is well covered.

When the draft occurred last spring Fuchness was going to be that #2 guy so at the time WR wasn't seen as a big need to Gute and company. It wasn't until a couple of weeks later that Funchess opted out.

Relying on a guy like Funches to be your #2, a guy who at that time had been out of Football for a year and hadn't even practiced with Rodgers is a problem to me. If that really was Gutes thinking, then all the talk about WR's not falling right in the draft was a smoke screen? I'm hoping that Gute doesn't head into 2021 with that same philosophy of Funchess being his #2.

 

[Poppa San]

proven

I've noticed that a majority of your player opinions hinge on this one word. No expectations of player physical or knowledge development or different roles in different schemes.

 

[PackAttack12]

Right, because you never hear it talked about by the local or National media, before, during and after most games. I never said "don't bring Funchess back." I said they shouldn't not bring other guys in because they think Funchess will be a starter. The guy has played in 1 game in the last 2 seasons. I don't think he even worked out with Rodgers before he opted out. Just saying that EQ and Malik have grown is exactly the problem with the thought process here. How have they grown? Between them they have 11 catches. I think Lazard and MVS have made some progress, but until they both start having consistently good games, I wouldn't count too much on them either.

I get it, people see how productive Rodgers and the offense has been and immediately want to say "no problems with the WR's on this team". I would beg to differ and say "imagine the offense with a better group of WR's." Rodgers has also made full use of his RB's and TE's this year.

Anyway, Funchess, Lazard, MVS, EQ and maybe Taylor will all most likely be back in 2021 to compete for jobs, I just hope they have some stiffer competition than each other for the 2-5 spots.

I have to admit that I'm surprised the Packers offense has been one of the best in the league while lacking proven talent at wide receiver behind Adams.

There's some reason to be cautious about as well though. Once opponents have been able to limit Adams' contribution the offense has struggled as no other receiver has been able to make a significant impact in those situations. Take a look at the Bucs game after the first two series as well as last week's contest against the Panthers starting with the fourth drive.

That might be an issue facing a good defense in the playoffs at some point.

Lots of truth in these two posts.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Lots of truth in these two posts.

I really wish there was no truth and it was just 2 fans belly aching about something that didn't exist. That said, I do think we can still win a SB, but I also think we can be just as easily knocked out by a low seed if their defense can frustrate Rodgers and force him to mostly have to rely on his lack of reliable WR options. Could be worse, we could have no running game and Jimmy Graham still at TE.

 

[Heyjoe4]

The cap casualties are already going to be nuts, if we sign Jones UNLESS extremely creatively - I cannot fathom what other additional cuts will be made.

Harsh reality, thanks for running the numbers. I don't see them letting Jones AND Williams walk. I'd prefer to keep two of the existing 3 backs. The run game is just too important. Then there's reality, we'll see.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Free Agency is going to be the Wild West and crazy. There will only be a handful of teams with money to spend and a lot more Free Agents like the ones you listed (Preston, Lowry, etc.) that don't have a team because of the cap. Top desired players like Aaron Jones will get their big contracts from cap fat teams, but the other 75% of the vets are going to be out in the cold, waiting for the best 1 year deal they can find. Too bad the Packers don't have a lot of cap, because I think there are going to be some absolute bargains in Free Agency. It will be a buyers market, with a lot of "poor broke" buyers sitting on the sidelines watching. I wouldn't even go after the top dollar guys, I would invest all my cap in the guys who can't get big contracts due to nobody being able to afford them.

Interesting point. The cap will be artificially low next year due to no fans in the seats. Hopefully that's over, and then the cap bounces back up for 2022. I agree with you, wait and sign some big names to one year deals, probably below market value. The problem of course is that GB won't have much cap.

 

[swhitset]

Interesting point. The cap will be artificially low next year due to no fans in the seats. Hopefully that's over, and then the cap bounces back up for 2022. I agree with you, wait and sign some big names to one year deals, probably below market value. The problem of course is that GB won't have much cap.

Green Bay won’t be signing any big name any bodies this year one year contracts or not. Unfortunately I think undesired cuts are the more likely scenario.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Green Bay won’t be signing any big name any bodies this year one year contracts or not. Unfortunately I think undesired cuts are the more likely scenario.

Agreed. We will probably see some very unlikely teams have decent seasons next year due to their ability to spend more than most. Of the top 10 teams in cap money available, I can see the Bucs, Patriots and Colts making some noise and being really good.

2021 NFL Team Salary Cap Space Tracker | Spotrac

 

[Dantés]

When the draft occurred last spring Fuchness was going to be that #2 guy so at the time WR wasn't seen as a big need to Gute and company. It wasn't until a couple of weeks later that Funchess opted out.

I think the team saw a specific type of WR as a big need, but that it never materialized in the draft.

The Packers pulled the trigger on trading up and taking Love only after the 49ers moved up for Aiyuk (who was the 6th WR off the board). My assessment is that Aiyuk was the last guy that they liked at the position in round 1, and that with him gone Love was the last guy they really liked in the first round overall. LaFleur has also talked this season about how they held Reagor in high regard prior to the draft.

They openly talked, after the draft, about how they had targets at WR in mind in the 2nd round, and tried to move up, but nothing materialized.

If you look at the WR corps, and the skill sets there, the thing that's clearly missing is the yards after catch threat. And this offense clearly has a place for such a player (look how Shanahan uses Samuel and Aiyuk, or how LaFleur has brought in and wants to use Austin). I think they saw that as a big need, but weren't able to make it happen.

So they instead chose to invest in players they liked for the future, and some posters still haven't gotten over it.

But yeah, to your point, the team felt like they had certain roles within the WR corps taken care of. And they were right.

1) This offense uses WR's about as little as any offense in the league. Some would argue that that's because they don't have enough talent at the position, but that's obviously not true because the same thing has happened in this basic system elsewhere (e.g. SF, MIN, TEN).

2) MVS has served his purpose to provide a vertical threat to the offense. He's tracking to finish the season near 20 YPR on somewhere from 35-40 catches. He leads the league in air yards per target by a big margin. And when your average depth of target is 17.6 yards down the field, a 52% catch rate is totally normal. He's not a perfect player, but he's fulfilled his role.

3) Given how much he likes to use condensed formations, LaFleur clearly had his eye on bigger players who can work from the slot, like both Funchess and Lazard. And again, the assessment of the latter's potential was correct-- his 16 game pace is 820 and 6.

So the position was not the black hole that a lot of people thought that it was. Gute/Petals understood better than us what they had, and what they wanted to do on offense. There's work to be done there, to be sure. But at this point fans are having to get pretty creative to justify all the pissing and moaning that's gone on since May.

 

[Dantés]

I find the argument of "what if they shut down Adams" to be a little mystifying.

1) Teams are gearing up to stop Adams every week. Given the season he's having, that has to be at the top of every DC's to do list.

2) You could say this about any team's best players-- stopping them, believe it or not, gives you a better chance to beat them.

3) Using the TB game as a case in point doesn't make any sense. I remember that game, and the problem, other than turning the ball over, was protection, not play at the WR position.

4) In the 7 games this season when Adams has not been the leading receiver, the Packers are 6-1 and +64 in scoring differential. Their scoring differential when he's not the leading receiver is actually better than when he is.

So if you follow the data, there's no real argument here. But people aren't following the evidence, they're playing out a narrative that they created seven months ago. And any time the offense produces a negative result, they force that result into the narrative they've created, whether it fits or not.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I think the team saw a specific type of WR as a big need, but that it never materialized in the draft.

The Packers pulled the trigger on trading up and taking Love only after the 49ers moved up for Aiyuk (who was the 6th WR off the board). My assessment is that Aiyuk was the last guy that they liked at the position in round 1, and that with him gone Love was the last guy they really liked in the first round overall. LaFleur has also talked this season about how they held Reagor in high regard prior to the draft.

They openly talked, after the draft, about how they had targets at WR in mind in the 2nd round, and tried to move up, but nothing materialized.

If you look at the WR corps, and the skill sets there, the thing that's clearly missing is the yards after catch threat. And this offense clearly has a place for such a player (look how Shanahan uses Samuel and Aiyuk, or how LaFleur has brought in and wants to use Austin). I think they saw that as a big need, but weren't able to make it happen.

So they instead chose to invest in players they liked for the future, and some posters still haven't gotten over it.

But yeah, to your point, the team felt like they had certain roles within the WR corps taken care of. And they were right.

1) This offense uses WR's about as little as any offense in the league. Some would argue that that's because they don't have enough talent at the position, but that's obviously not true because the same thing has happened in this basic system elsewhere (e.g. SF, MIN, TEN).

2) MVS has served his purpose to provide a vertical threat to the offense. He's tracking to finish the season near 20 YPR on somewhere from 35-40 catches. He leads the league in air yards per target by a big margin. And when your average depth of target is 17.6 yards down the field, a 52% catch rate is totally normal. He's not a perfect player, but he's fulfilled his role.

3) Given how much he likes to use condensed formations, LaFleur clearly had his eye on bigger players who can work from the slot, like both Funchess and Lazard. And again, the assessment of the latter's potential was correct-- his 16 game pace is 820 and 6.

So the position was not the black hole that a lot of people thought that it was. Gute/Petals understood better than us what they had, and what they wanted to do on offense. There's work to be done there, to be sure. But at this point fans are having to get pretty creative to justify all the pissing and moaning that's gone on since May.

Good comments on what all was involved in the Packers' last draft. The typical fan, that would be me, saw a WR-rich draft and a need for a #2 behind Adams. As you note, it's not that simple. I think if Aiyuk had lasted a little longer they may have tried to get him in RD 1. But it makes no sense to take a guy too high simply because of need.

And this WR group has been good enough. To me, MVS has improved a bit and Lazard has stayed about the same. What is pointed out and what is really needed is a WR who can bring YAC. Surprisingly, Adams isn't particularly good at it. Maybe that's because he's double teamed so much, but he doesn't seem to be a big threat once he's caught the ball. He makes up for that with excellent route running and excellent hands.

As for Love, still not sure why Gluten thought he needed a QB that badly. If it was done, even in part, to light a fire under Rodgers it's worked. Homeboy opinions aside, I do think #12 is the leading MVP candidate. When he plays well, the Packers win.

On to the next game. A win against the Titans would be big for a lot of reasons - shut up the naysayers, build confidence heading into the playoffs, and lock down the bye. The Packers usually play to the level of their competition, so it should be a good game. IMO they win by selling out to stop or slow Henry. Bring Amos up more often as the dime linebacker, keep Henry under 100 yds. Make Tannehill win it by being better than Rodgers at home. In other words, don't play the Titans like the last match with the Vikes and Cook.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I've noticed that a majority of your player opinions hinge on this one word. No expectations of player physical or knowledge development or different roles in different schemes.

I believe in player development. But it's completely unrealistic to expect most of the young players to significantly improve.

Therefore I don't agree with the Packers relying on it at the receiver position entering this season.

The cap will be artificially low next year due to no fans in the seats. Hopefully that's over, and then the cap bounces back up for 2022.

The losses caused by COVID-19 will be spread out over four years. The cap won't be back to normal for 2022.

So they instead chose to invest in players they liked for the future, and some posters still haven't gotten over it.

The Packers are currently in a situation some posters expected them to be entering the season. They are a contender with their draft class hardly having an impact at all.

I don't see any reason to get over it as some rookies contributing would increase their chances to win the Super Bowl this season.

1) This offense uses WR's about as little as any offense in the league. Some would argue that that's because they don't have enough talent at the position, but that's obviously not true because the same thing has happened in this basic system elsewhere (e.g. SF, MIN, TEN).

Interestingly those teams you mentioned lack talent after the top two receivers at the position as well.

I find the argument of "what if they shut down Adams" to be a little mystifying.

You could say this about any team's best players-- stopping them, believe it or not, gives you a better chance to beat them.

Rodgers is the Packers' best player. The issue being that an opponent limiting Adams' contribution results in #12 and therefore the entire offense struggling at times though.

Using the TB game as a case in point doesn't make any sense. I remember that game, and the problem, other than turning the ball over, was protection, not play at the WR position.

The wide receivers were definitely part of the problem vs. the Bucs. One of the turnovers was a pass Adams wasn't able to hold on to, deflecting it into the hands of a defender.

What is pointed out and what is really needed is a WR who can bring YAC. Surprisingly, Adams isn't particularly good at it. Maybe that's because he's double teamed so much, but he doesn't seem to be a big threat once he's caught the ball. He makes up for that with excellent route running and excellent hands.

Adams is actually third in the league in yards after catch at 530.

On to the next game. A win against the Titans would be big for a lot of reasons - shut up the naysayers, build confidence heading into the playoffs, and lock down the bye.

The Packers can only clinch the first seed vs. the Titans if the Seahawks lose to the Rams this week.

IMO they win by selling out to stop or slow Henry. Bring Amos up more often as the dime linebacker, keep Henry under 100 yds. Make Tannehill win it by being better than Rodgers at home. In other words, don't play the Titans like the last match with the Vikes and Cook.

The Titans passing game is better than you give them credit for.