The Numbers
Quarterback: $21.01 million
Defensive end: $16.73 million
Receiver: $15.49 million
Linebacker: $14.37 million
Offensive line: $14.1 million
Cornerback: $14.04 million
Defensive tackle: $13.22 million
Running back: $11.9 million
Safety: $10.76 million
Tight end: $9.66 million
Kicker-punter: $4.77 million
With the release of Shields and Starks, the Packers currently have 11 unrestricted free agents. With that, let’s take it one by one to see where they stand next to the tag numbers.
Julius Peppers
For the most part, Peppers has been all but written off. At 37 years old, playing only limited snaps in order to preserve him in more important games, it’s hard to justify continuing to pay him over $8M per year. With that said, there is exactly a 0% chance the Packers look to tag him at $14.37 million dollars.
T.J. Lang
Even at 29 years old, T.J. Lang is an asset to the Packers. There is no question about it. He deserves more than his $4.6 million dollar per year salary. Also no problems there. The issue is the leap to a franchise tag which for offensive line is sitting at $14.1 million. No guard is worth $14 million dollars and Lang is hardly an exception. His current market value according to Sportrac is in the $8M range. He’s going get paid but it won’t be close to $14M
Nick Perry
If there is a case to be made for a franchise tag it would be for Nick Perry. There is no question the value a pass rusher brings to a team and losing Perry would be a massive blow. Not only is Perry just 26 years old, he’s already the best OLB on the team. Resigning him is a must for the Packers.
With that said, the Packers are incredibly disciplined with their money and are willing to let people walk if their value and market value don’t line up. If his market valuation is correct, Perry’s value is sitting at $8.5M. That’s a far cry from $14.37M.
I would bet Perry gets a long term deal and wouldn’t be surprised if it’s more than $8.5M but Perry won’t get $14.37M from Green Bay. If someone else is willing to overpay, that’s on them but the Packers will not.
Jared Cook
Jared Cook proved his worth and was doted upon by Aaron Rodgers as the spark that made the whole thing come together. He is an asset that the team loves and he will be back in Green Bay. There is almost no doubt about that.
The issue is twofold if Cook looks for a big contract. First is the large gap between worth and the tag. Second is his value to the Packers verse any other team.
In 2016 Cook received just under $3M. He may have earned more money and probably more than a 1 year contract, but $9.66M is stupid money. Even the Packers, who have a borderline tight end fetish, wouldn’t pay Jared Cook that much.
The second issue is the lack of a market. I could be incorrect but last year Cook was struggling to find a team. In 2016 he had a good year but he also had Rodgers throwing him the ball. Are there any teams willing to pay a 30 year old tight end $10+ million dollars. I very much doubt it. His highest value is in Green Bay and it’s not $9.66M.
Datone Jones
Although he improved and possibly played his best football after being moved to OLB in 2016, Jones hasn’t really lived up to his first round billing. A talented player that the Packers no doubt want to retain, the market simply isn’t there to drive his value up that high. Bottom line, if Perry isn’t getting it, Jones isn’t getting it.
Brett Goode
Nope.
Eddie Lacy
It’s almost too bad lacy isn’t in the conversation for being tagged. Lacy came out of Alabama and was a wrecking ball. He’s played fantastic for the team and had the ability to be one of the greatest Packers backs of all time conversation.
Unfortunately, Lacy seems to be having personal issues. When he first joined the team there was a lot of talk about his depression. He seemed quiet and distant and it worried a lot of people. Over time the worry dissipated but a new and possibly related issue arose a couple years ago when he showed up to camp noticeably overweight. The team downplayed it as a non issue concocted by the media who don’t know anything but in 2016 the same issues arose and now it’s been released that Lacy has been getting fined for missing weight for quite a while.
Add in the injuries and the fact that he struggles early in the season and Lacy’s value has dissolved to the point where nobody seems all too concerned that he may be let go. Ultimately, I tend to think he will be given a 1 year prove it deal in hopes that he can return to form.
At this time Sportrac has him valued at $2.8M per year. A far cry from the $11.9M franchise tag.
Christine Michael
I actually loved watching Michael play. He wasn’t great but his breakaway speed is something I can’t say I’ve even seen in a Packers back and having a guy that can break loose at any moment got my heart to stop whenever he touched the ball. I hope they keep him. Not for $12M but I hope they keep him.
Don Barclay
Donny has the ability to play tackle and play well. That’s as close as I can possibly stretch him to being a franchise left tackle deserving of a $14.1M franchise tag. The fact that he is currently listed on Packers.com as a backup center also doesn’t help his chances.
J.C. Tretter
Another versatile backup lineman, Tretter is a huge asset to the team that has proved to be a quality backup. Unfortunately, backup anything means no tag. With that said, however, his market value is set at over $8M. I’m not sure if a team is willing to pay him that but if his value is correct it may be difficult for the Packers to justify keeping him.
Micah Hyde
The Rodney Dangerfield of the Packers, Micah Hyde gets no respect. A guy that only seems to go out and make plays seems to only be relegated to slot duties and is currently listed as a strong safety.
With the current deficiencies in the defensive backfield, cutting a second corner seems, at the very least, improbable. My hope would be to pay the man but whatever that cost might be, it certainly would not be anywhere near $14M. It wouldn’t even be worth the $10M as a safety.
In short, the likelihood of Ted Thompson using the franchise tag this year is low and that’s a good thing.