The Free Agency Thread

[Dantés]

They are not cutting Cobb to sign Matthews. Nor would they need to. Despite Nostradamus’ prognostications, the Packers have the flexibility to sign the latter while still keeping the former.

 

[hallzi43]

Sitting on roughly 7M of room to sign another FA or 2. Thats all without knowing the details of Tramons contract. Could certainly probably still land both Matthews and Breaux with the right structures.

 

[McKnowledge]

Jordan Matthews: a guy who in just the least year underwent thumb, ankle and knee surgery, ending the season on IR. Sounds like a good fit.

If they sign Matthews I would expect a 2-fer 2018 cap swaperoo as with the Nelson out, Graham and Wilkerson in. This time it would be Matthews to play the slot, Cobb cut, and some other use with the remaining 2018 cap savings which I would hope would be rolled over to 2019 but I wouldn't expect it the way things are going.

If this was your credit card balance I would agree with "rolling over". But this is millions of dollars for a professional football team. Next year is next year. Big contracts come off the books (Cobb) next season anyways. Why cut Cobb now while signing Matthews? Double down for the year at least. Plus, how is Matthews ailments any different from Jordy Nelson's injuries? Sentiment? Jordan Matthews injuries are less severe, and barring last season in Buffalo, he has been very productive.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Free agency is dwindling, and post-draft cuts will not drastically improve this roster. If they are willing to visit Green Bay...sign them!!!

It's not as easy as that as the Packers still have to make free agent signings work with the cap situation though.

Couldn't get mad either way, but DRC is really the only CB left of consequence in free agency.

Breaux could turn out to be a steal if he's able to stay healthy. Otherwise I agree that DRC is the best cornerback still available in free agency.

Coming off 2 fractured fibulas and a bum shoulder I would think that he isn't going to be getting 4M. But who knows.

The Packers shouldn't offer Breaux that kind of base salary by any means. It might make sense to offer him significant incentives though.

You mean to tell me PFF doesn't have a section for that.

PFF has a draft guide with in-depth scouting reports and stats on over 300 players. I'm not interested in reading all of it. I will post their take on the Packers selections after the draft though.

If they sign Matthews I would expect a 2-fer 2018 cap swaperoo as with the Nelson out, Graham and Wilkerson in. This time it would be Matthews to play the slot, Cobb cut, and some other use with the remaining 2018 cap savings which I would hope would be rolled over to 2019 but I wouldn't expect it the way things are going.

The Packers wouldn't have to release Cobb to sign Matthews to a reasonable deal.

 

[HardRightEdge]

The Packers wouldn't have to release Cobb to sign Matthews to a reasonable deal.

That's not a cap consideration per se.

In the following 2016 highlight reel, what do you see?

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I see a guy making plays out of the slot who occasionally runs a slant or bubble screen from wideout. Buffalo acquired him to play slot which is no surprise. Matthews is a slot receiver.

Graham, Cobb, Matthews...all slots. It would be awfully crowded in there.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

That's not a cap consideration per se.

In the following 2016 highlight reel, what do you see?

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

I see a guy making plays out of the slot who occasionally runs a slant or bubble screen from wideout. Buffalo acquired him to play slot which is no surprise. Matthews is a slot receiver.

Graham, Cobb, Matthews...all slots. It would be awfully crowded in there.

I think the Packers should only sign Matthews if they believe he can excel on the perimeter. Otherwise I agree that it doesn't make sense to have three receiving weapons best suited to line up in the slot on the roster.

 

[hallzi43]

Matthews wasn't specifically slot. But that is where he did best. He isn't super fast so he wouldn't exactly spread the field. He would be better than Geronimo Allison.

 

[rodell330]

The fact that Cobb is making anything over 7 mil next season is very difficult for me to accept. I don’t know if they’ve asked Cobb to restructure or not, but they definitely need to happen.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

The fact that Cobb is making anything over 7 mil next season is very difficult for me to accept. I don’t know if they’ve asked Cobb to restructure or not, but they definitely need to happen.

It will be interesting to see what they do with Cobb in the next year, given his age, there are quite a few options.

1. Try to restructure now and keep him a Packer awhile.
2. Replace now and cut.
3. Let him play out his contract and let him walk.
4. Let him play out his contract and try to resign him.
5. Trade. The least likely available option due to his contract IMO.

I would prefer option #1. I think Cobb is and will continue to be a valuable asset for Rodgers and the Packers. Not at the price he is currently being paid, but he is only 27 and has some good football left in him.

 

[OldSchool101]

Cobb watching what Jordy just got contract wise (immediately at that) I’m wondering why a receiver like Cobb, who is 5 years younger and who hasn’t lost a step would take a paycut while still in his prime. Im calling bluff and walking away for any offer under 8M+ annual with a highly guaranteed %. If I’m Cobbs agent, I’m asking for a salary raise. I’m gonna gamble that I can get that elsewhere and that if they lowball me there will be serious fallout throughout the ranks.

 

[rodell330]

It will be interesting to see what they do with Cobb in the next year, given his age, there are quite a few options.

1. Try to restructure now and keep him a Packer awhile.
2. Replace now and cut.
3. Let him play out his contract and let him walk.
4. Let him play out his contract and try to resign him.
5. Trade. The least likely available option due to his contract IMO.

I would prefer option #1. I think Cobb is and will continue to be a valuable asset for Rodgers and the Packers. Not at the price he is currently being paid, but he is only 27 and has some good football left in him.

I’m fine with option #1....at 5-6 mil a year . Rodgers is one of maybe 3 QBs in the entire NFL who can win games with average WRs. Cobb is an average wr...there are plenty of average WRs on the market who are bigger and faster than Cobb... but cost millions less. I’d be willing to cut Cobb and sign Dez Bryant..basically give him Cobbs salary. People are down on Bryant but he ALWAYS has given the Packers problems and he’s a lot better than Cobb. Dallas is going to cut him..he marvels over Aaron Rodgers just listen to his sound bites from the times they have faced off. He’s love to come play with Rodgers and Adams guarantee it!!

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Cobb's inherent value to the Packers and #12 is they know what they have in him. So possibly overpaying him more than the $5-6M some people think he is worth to other teams isn't a big deal to me, how much is the question. I wouldn't be surprised if Gute brought Jordan Matthews in last week to see what he would cost the Packers. With Matthews, they would spend less than they are currently spending on Cobb, but with Matthews, they really don't know what they would be getting. If the price was right, I could see signing Matthews and either holding Cobb one more year or if they have confidence in GMO, letting Cobb go now. If they aren't that confident in GMO being a starter, I think the Packers need to sign a FA WR and not expect to find an instant starter in the draft.

 

[Dantés]

I don't really see the point of cutting Cobb. His cap number is too big for his ability on the field. But what are you going to do with that space? You aren't going to go find an upgrade at WR or anywhere else. Nor do they need the room to do something else. There's no upside in cutting him and keeping him doesn't hinder anything. So keep him.

 

[elcid]

I don't really see the point of cutting Cobb. His cap number is too big for his ability on the field. But what are you going to do with that space? You aren't going to go find an upgrade at WR or anywhere else. Nor do they need the room to do something else. There's no upside in cutting him and keeping him doesn't hinder anything. So keep him.

Agreed given the current situation of the FA market. However, given the Packers have either invested a mid to high draft pick or acquired a free agent at WR, if there are some interesting players for the Packers being cut during the final roster cuts and we need the cap space, he'd be the first one I'd let go.

 

[McKnowledge]

Cobb's inherent value to the Packers and #12 is they know what they have in him. So possibly overpaying him more than the $5-6M some people think he is worth to other teams isn't a big deal to me, how much is the question. I wouldn't be surprised if Gute brought Jordan Matthews in last week to see what he would cost the Packers. With Matthews, they would spend less than they are currently spending on Cobb, but with Matthews, they really don't know what they would be getting. If the price was right, I could see signing Matthews and either holding Cobb one more year or if they have confidence in GMO, letting Cobb go now. If they aren't that confident in GMO being a starter, I think the Packers need to sign a FA WR and not expect to find an instant starter in the draft.

I agree. Geronimo Allison isn't ready to be a starter for this upcoming season. He's a serviceable #3 or #4 at this point. I think bringing in Matthews as #2 is the route to go. Cobb obviously is overpaid, but most WRs throughout the league are. Cobb must produce this year, at an elite level. However, there shouldn't be any reason to get rid of Cobb this season, the cons outweigh the pros. Now, if Matthews is asking for more than 5M per year, I would like Green Bay to shift their focus to Brice Butler. He wasn't appreciated in Dallas, same size as Jordan Matthews, without an injury history, and is much faster than him as well. Butler has been on recorded, stating that if he isn't starting, he does not want to return to Dallas. Offer Butler a 2 year deal with an annual salary of 4M, and I think Butler would jump at the chance to prove a lot of people wrong. Brice Butler could be Andre Rison 2.0, without the perceived baggage.

https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/da...ez-bryant-frustrations-cowboys-offense-future

 

[Dantés]

Agreed given the current situation of the FA market. However, given the Packers have either invested a mid to high draft pick or acquired a free agent at WR, if there are some interesting players for the Packers being cut during the final roster cuts and we need the cap space, he'd be the first one I'd let go.

Sure— if it becomes advantageous, I’m all for it. Though it’s hard for me to imagine a roster cut that’s so good that the Packers need to free up 9M to go get said player.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Matthews wasn't specifically slot. But that is where he did best. He isn't super fast so he wouldn't exactly spread the field. He would be better than Geronimo Allison.

Matthews isn't blazing fast but should be able to put up decent numbers primarily lining up on the outside.

The fact that Cobb is making anything over 7 mil next season is very difficult for me to accept. I don’t know if they’ve asked Cobb to restructure or not, but they definitely need to happen.

Once again, it's not that easy because as long as the Packers don't have an adequate replacement for him on the roster Cobb has all the leverage though.

If I’m Cobbs agent, I’m asking for a salary raise.

That would be a ludicrous suggestion.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Packers were definitely pursuing Allen Robinson. That news and the recent visit of Jordan Matthews leads me to believe that Gute isn't done looking for a WR in Free Agency.

https://247sports.com/nfl/chicago-b...ars-over-the-Packers-in-free-agency-116690990

 

[PikeBadger]

I agree. Geronimo Allison isn't ready to be a starter for this upcoming season. He's a serviceable #3 or #4 at this point. I think bringing in Matthews as #2 is the route to go. Cobb obviously is overpaid, but most WRs throughout the league are. Cobb must produce this year, at an elite level. However, there shouldn't be any reason to get rid of Cobb this season, the cons outweigh the pros. Now, if Matthews is asking for more than 5M per year, I would like Green Bay to shift their focus to Brice Butler. He wasn't appreciated in Dallas, same size as Jordan Matthews, without an injury history, and is much faster than him as well. Butler has been on recorded, stating that if he isn't starting, he does not want to return to Dallas. Offer Butler a 2 year deal with an annual salary of 4M, and I think Butler would jump at the chance to prove a lot of people wrong. Brice Butler could be Andre Rison 2.0, without the perceived baggage.

https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/da...ez-bryant-frustrations-cowboys-offense-future

If Cobb produces at an elite level, that means that Adams and Graham won’t. The truth is, yards and TD’s are a finite statistic. Not everyone will put up elite production numbers. They all need to fit well in the offensive scheme and contribute when called upon.

 

[Sunshinepacker]

They are not cutting Cobb to sign Matthews. Nor would they need to. Despite Nostradamus’ prognostications, the Packers have the flexibility to sign the latter while still keeping the former.

While they could technically keep both, I'm not sure why the team would want to have two slot receivers in Cobb and Matthews while also fielding the most expensive TE in the NFL who also does his best work out of the slot.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

While they could technically keep both, I'm not sure why the team would want to have two slot receivers in Cobb and Matthews while also fielding the most expensive TE in the NFL who also does his best work out of the slot.

The Packers signing Matthews would only make sense if the coaching staff believes he could excel lining up on the outside.

 

[Sunshinepacker]

If Cobb produces at an elite level, that means that Adams and Graham won’t. The truth is, yards and TD’s are a finite statistic. Not everyone will put up elite production numbers. They all need to fit well in the offensive scheme and contribute when called upon.

That's not true. The Packers don't exactly have a dominant running game. If you expect Rodgers to throw for close to 4,000 yards and 35+ TDs, then there are PLENTY of balls to go around for all three to be elite. Keep in mind that 800 yards receiving would be elite production for a TE and it's very possible for Adams and Cobb to both get 1,000+ yards if everyone remains healthy. To be honest, it might be possible for both Cobb and Adams to be over 1,200 yards each if Ty stays at RB. Touchdowns are a little more random and I would expect both Adams and Graham to end up with more of those than Cobb.

 

[Sunshinepacker]

The Packers signing Matthews would only make sense if the coaching staff believes he could excel lining up on the outside.

Then the coaching staff would be betting that his history of on-the-field play is inaccurate and that their imaginations are actually more realistic than reality.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Then the coaching staff would be betting that his history of on-the-field play is inaccurate and that their imaginations are actually more realistic than reality.

While the Eagles almost exclusively used Matthews in the slot the Bills lined him up on the perimeter on more than half of his snaps.

 

[Curly Calhoun]

While the Eagles almost exclusively used Matthews in the slot the Bills lined him up on the perimeter on more than half of his snaps.

He's a big target, and relatively young. He would be an interesting addition, IMHO, if the price is right.