Restructuring of Contracts

[McKnowledge]

There's absolutely no doubt that Gordon is way more talented than Cobb but you have to consider that he's one incident away from being banned for life from the NFL.

True, but it would also give GB leverage during negotiations. I think GB would be more appealing to Gordon given the QB situation.

 

[sschind]

Don't get me wrong, I don't want the Packers to retain Cobb without his contract being restructured. By trading him for Gordon the team risks ending up with basically Adams and Nelson at the position though.

I certainly understand your point and it is a big risk but IMO the potential rewards outweigh the risk. Its all just forum banter anyway because I doubt either side would pull the trigger on the deal. The talent for talent part is a no brainer but so there is no way I think Dorsey would do it and the risk is pretty high so I'm not sure Gutekunst would either. Its kind of fun to think of Aaron Rodgers throwing to Josh Gordon though even if it is just a fantasy.

 

[sschind]

I think this is a great point (highlighted), we don't know what could happen, yet you say "the one thing we know is you add Josh Gordon.....instantly have the best receivers in the NFL" Do we really know that?

Josh Gordon's last big statistical year was 2013 and as Captain pointed out, is one incident away from being gone from the NFL. On the other hand, we have Randall Cobb who hasn't put up huge numbers since 2014, but has been a consistent part of the offense.

Someone like Josh Gordon is a huge risk IMO. Sure, he could be great, but I think the odds of him being a bust have to be considered. I would much rather see the Packers get Cobb to restructure and if he doesn't, spend the money on a FA that has better odds of contributing to the team for all 16+ games.

I don't know about the best WRs either but it would make us pretty scary. Your solution may be the best one with the least amount of risk. There are several free agents out there who would likely come cheaper than RC and who could probably put up the same numbers. The only downside is the loss of the comfort factor AR has with RC but a QB like Rodgers should be able to get over that if the WR is half way capable.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

True, but it would also give GB leverage during negotiations. I think GB would be more appealing to Gordon given the QB situation.

The Packers wouldn't need any leverage negotiating a deal with Gordon if they acquired him as he being an ERFA would have to play for a one-year, $705K contract in 2018.

 

[McKnowledge]

The Packers wouldn't need any leverage negotiating a deal with Gordon if they acquired him as he being an ERFA would have to play for a one-year, $705K contract in 2018.

Yea. I did some research and he will either be a Cleveland Brown or out of the league. He either retires, gets kicked out of the league via suspension, or (conceivably) franchise tagged for the next couple seasons after this one depending on play.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Yea. I did some research and he will either be a Cleveland Brown or out of the league. He either retires, gets kicked out of the league via suspension, or (conceivably) franchise tagged for the next couple seasons after this one depending on play.

The Browns could trade his exclusive rights to another team though. It doesn't make sense for a team to franchise tag a player multiple times as it's getting way too expensive.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I certainly understand your point and it is a big risk but IMO the potential rewards outweigh the risk. Its all just forum banter anyway because I doubt either side would pull the trigger on the deal. The talent for talent part is a no brainer but so there is no way I think Dorsey would do it and the risk is pretty high so I'm not sure Gutekunst would either. Its kind of fun to think of Aaron Rodgers throwing to Josh Gordon though even if it is just a fantasy.

Also, not so sure a team like Cleveland is looking to get rid of talent just for a guy like Cobb, draft picks maybe. But Cleveland isn't contending in the near future, they don't need an overpaid guy on a one year contract who would probably walk away at the end of 2018. Hanging on to Gordon on the other hand, could pay off big dividends for an investment already made.

Has Gordon been given the ERFA tag yet? I assume if he hasn't, he will be soon. Cleveland has him on the cheap for one more year and next year put the RFA tag on him.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Yea. I did some research and he will either be a Cleveland Brown or out of the league. He either retires, gets kicked out of the league via suspension, or (conceivably) franchise tagged for the next couple seasons after this one depending on play.

??? Would like to see that research. He can only play for the Browns or he is out of the league?

 

[Deleted member 6794]

??? Would like to see that research. He can only play for the Browns or he is out of the league?

It's true that an exclusive rights free agent isn't allowed to negotiate with any other team and can only sign with their current team for the minimum salary for a player with two accrued seasons ($705K in 2018) or leave the league.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

It's true that an exclusive rights free agent isn't allowed to negotiate with any other team and can only sign with their current team for the minimum salary for a player with two accrued seasons ($705K in 2018) or leave the league.

I get that, but the statement by the Poster was an either or statement, Gordon could only play for the Browns or he is out of the league. The Browns can still cut or trade him, allowing him to play for another team.

 

[gbgary]

There's absolutely no doubt that Gordon is way more talented than Cobb but you have to consider that he's one incident away from being banned for life from the NFL.

talented? debatable. faster? no question. smarter? no way. reliable? nope. they're apples and oranges to me. cobb has better hands as his, only one guy has better target/completion % since 1992...wes welker, stat proves. if gordon has his head on straight he'd be great to have...as a jordy replacement though.

on a separate note...knowing the stat above, why would anyone want to see cobb gone at his age? he's our welker, our amendola. he's a first down machine. we cut him at our own peril.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

talented? debatable. faster? no question. smarter? no way. reliable? nope. they're apples and oranges to me. cobb has better hands as his, only one guy has better target/completion % since 1992...wes welker, stat proves. if gordon has his head on straight he'd be great to have...as a jordy replacement though.

on a separate note...knowing the stat above, why would anyone want to see cobb gone at his age? he's our welker, our amendola. he's a first down machine. we cut him at our own peril.

I gave you an agree and would add: What I think the biggest variable and one that seems to get lost in all of this talk of Cobb and Nelson, is the very well established chemistry both have with #12. I doubt chemistry like that happens right away with a new receiver, especially with the "wrong player". People my not like that about AR, but it is what it is and not liking it isn't going to change who he is.

 

[sschind]

talented? debatable. faster? no question. smarter? no way. reliable? nope. they're apples and oranges to me. cobb has better hands as his, only one guy has better target/completion % since 1992...wes welker, stat proves. if gordon has his head on straight he'd be great to have...as a jordy replacement though.

on a separate note...knowing the stat above, why would anyone want to see cobb gone at his age? he's our welker, our amendola. he's a first down machine. we cut him at our own peril.

Randall Cobb makes our team better but some people are concerned that he doesn't make them almost 13 million dollars better. People want to see him gone at his current price and that I can understand but cut 5 or 6 mil off his cap hit and I think everyone would be fine with keeping him around. Unfortunately he is not just going to give back 5 million so any savings on this years cap AND retaining his services will have to involve some sort of extension. I'm not sure the Packers are interested in giving him one. There are a lot of intriguing WRs available in FA this year and they may be content to go after one of those. I'll say this, if they do cut him I hope to heck they do go after one of them or make a high draft pick at the position a priority because I do not see and adequate replacement for him on our roster. Like Poker has said many times, cut him fine but don't do it without a replacement in hand.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

cobb has better hands as his, only one guy has better target/completion % since 1992...wes welker, stat proves. if gordon has his head on straight he'd be great to have...as a jordy replacement though.

on a separate note...knowing the stat above, why would anyone want to see cobb gone at his age? he's our welker, our amendola. he's a first down machine. we cut him at our own peril.

Cobb's catch rate is just one piece of the puzzle. On the other side he ranks only 19th in total receptions, 38th in yards as well as 80th in yards per reception since signing a contract that pays him an average of $10 million a season three years ago.

Once again, I don't want the Packers to release or trade him but would prefer to restructure his contract as he's definitely overpaid.

 

[Veretax]

I like Cobb a lot, but I'm concerned with Rodgers 'contract talks' perhaps starting early how realistic is it to have all three Jordy, Cobb, and Adams at WR? Odds would seem to indicate one of them is gone/not extended.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I like Cobb a lot, but I'm concerned with Rodgers 'contract talks' perhaps starting early how realistic is it to have all three Jordy, Cobb, and Adams at WR? Odds would seem to indicate one of them is gone/not extended.

Well, the Packers have currently allocated a total of $37.9 million of their cap space towards the wide receiver position, which leads the league by a wide margin and is $10 million more than any other team aside of the Dolphins. It's pretty obvious that's not a smart way to handle the cap and I definitely don't expect Gutekunst to hold on to both Nelson and Cobb under their current contracts.

 

[elcid]

Well, the Packers have currently allocated a total of $37.9 million of their cap space towards the wide receiver position, which leads the league by a wide margin and is $10 million more than any other team aside of the Dolphins. It's pretty obvious that's not a smart way to handle the cap and I definitely don't expect Gutekunst to hold on to both Nelson and Cobb under their current contracts.

I agree. And while I'd still rather like both Jordy and Cobb to restructure (and rather cut Nelson and restructure Cobb) realistically only Jordy is going to do so. If this would happen, Im really coming round to the idea to just cut Cobb. He simply makes too much money for a slot WR and Jordy would probably be moved to the slot on 80% of the snaps anyway. Ty could fill in once he is injured. Its just not worth keeping Cobb at a 7 digit salary with these guys also able to play the position.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I agree. And while I'd still rather like both Jordy and Cobb to restructure (and rather cut Nelson and restructure Cobb) realistically only Jordy is going to do so. If this would happen, Im really coming round to the idea to just cut Cobb. He simply makes too much money for a slot WR and Jordy would probably be moved to the slot on 80% of the snaps anyway. Ty could fill in once he is injured. Its just not worth keeping Cobb at a 7 digit salary with these guys also able to play the position.

There's a chance Cobb agrees to a restructured deal adding some more years to the contract as he's young enough to possibly play in Green Bay until it expires.