The Green Bay Packers retained a key piece of their offense when wide receiver Randall Cobb re-signed with the club Saturday. In keeping Cobb the Packers explosive offense will remain intact for at least a couple of more years. Now the focus turns to tackle Bryan Bulaga and cornerbacks Tramon Williams and Devon House.
I could not be more happy to be wrong than I am now. I didn’t think there was any chance Cobb would take less money to stay in Green Bay but in doing so Cobb showed what kind of man he is and what kind of organization the Packers are. In an interview with Packers.com Cobb said it was all about the ring and his love for the Packers. For only being 24 years old Cobb certainly has a maturity level that is rare in the NFL. Most guys would take the money and run.
Of course, Cobb was able to see up close that taking the money doesn’t always work out for the best. Case in point being Greg Jennings. Jennings took the money from the Vikings and was basically never heard from again. Without a quarterback, Jennings’ days as a top-level NFL receiver are over. Cobb, with Aaron Rodgers throwing him the ball the next four years will have another shot at free agency and maybe even bigger money.
With Cobb, Jordy Nelson and Aaron Rodgers locked up for years to come, the next project on offense will be getting Eddie Lacy signed to an extension, but that can’t happen for at least one more year as teams cannot renegotiate drafted rookie contracts until after their third year. And like Cobb did, Lacy might be willing to bet on himself and play out his final year to see what the market will bear for him.
The Packers still have a lot of work to do with the aforementioned Bulaga, Williams and House. It would behoove them to keep one of the two cornerbacks. Bulaga is probably replaceable with somebody currently on the roster or even a draft pick. The Packers have options there.
It should be an interesting week in Titletown. The Packers might even sign somebody else’s free agent again this year. Worked pretty well last year.