Packers Offseason/Free Agency Thread

[Joemailman]

Christian Watson's dad on the hamstring problems:

"Well, the collaborating specialists found the source of the problem. That was the main issue with getting the proper plan in place for a solution. Now, as I've shared before, it's not my place to share details. I'll let the Packers and/or Christian do that, should they decide to elaborate. However, with the source of the issue revealed, as long as the correct program is implemented and executed to rectify it, then this shouldn't be a recurring issue moving forward!"

[Frozen Tundra]

Christian Watson's dad on the hamstring problems:

"Well, the collaborating specialists found the source of the problem. That was the main issue with getting the proper plan in place for a solution. Now, as I've shared before, it's not my place to share details. I'll let the Packers and/or Christian do that, should they decide to elaborate. However, with the source of the issue revealed, as long as the correct program is implemented and executed to rectify it, then this shouldn't be a recurring issue moving forward!"

Interesting news. I was speculating about that a couple of months ago when people were discussing whether there was even anything that could be done about chronic hammy problems, and was hoping that some top-level specialists would be able to isolate a cause. I hope he's right.

And just so people are aware, Watson's dad is not just some barstool blowhard, or a yapping pot-stirrer like James Jones' father was. Watson's dad is Tazim Wajed, better remembered by some of us as Packer safety Tim Watson from the 90s. He was never a star player or even close to it, but he's a really smart guy who spent a few years in the league and understands the game. I've heard him on a couple of podcasts, and he comes across as a very responsible and intelligent guy. Had some very interesting insights on Hafley a few weeks ago that I hadn't heard anyone express before, but really made a lot of sense, and some of which were similar to what other pundits have said but summarized much more clearly and deeply than I've heard others saying.

[KYPack]

Great post Tundra.

for sure Don't remember Tim Watson but sounds level headed

[Joemailman]

Great post Tundra.

for sure Don't remember Tim Watson but sounds level headed

Watson was a 6th round pick by the Packers but never played for the Packers. Don't know if there was a hamstring injury involved. Bounced around with a few teams for a few years.

[bobblehead]

Christian Watson's dad on the hamstring problems:

"Well, the collaborating specialists found the source of the problem. That was the main issue with getting the proper plan in place for a solution. Now, as I've shared before, it's not my place to share details. I'll let the Packers and/or Christian do that, should they decide to elaborate. However, with the source of the issue revealed, as long as the correct program is implemented and executed to rectify it, then this shouldn't be a recurring issue moving forward!"

This is the kind of thing I read every off season and get excited about. Half the time it ends in brutal disappointment. I really hope Watson has it figured out because he is lightning. He is a true game changer.

[Patler]

This is the kind of thing I read every off season and get excited about. Half the time it ends in brutal disappointment. I really hope Watson has it figured out because he is lightning. He is a true game changer.

Yup, just like everyone is "ahead of schedule" during off season rehab, until training camp when they are put on the PUP list, and then stay there for the start of the season.

Two big questions regarding Watson, even if they know the issue:

1. Can it be corrected?
2. How long will it take to really fix it, even if it is correctable?

Knowing the cause is the necessary start, but it is only that, a start. Lots to be answered yet.

[Bretsky]

Consider me in the who cares group on the Dillon signing.

[run pMc]

If Watson's hamstring issues are resolved and he can be healthy that will be a big deal - he scares defenses and makes it easier for the other receivers.

Dillon is not good running from shotgun. The mesh point is different and I suspect more effective for him if the QB is under center.
I will be curious to see if they use a real FB more. Jacobs also played well from power/gap schemes, and I wonder if we see more of it. McVay went more power/gap last year.

[sharpe1027]

There's more randomness than most people think. Watson might never have a another hamstring injury. He might have one the first practice. Having good training and therapy plans can help, but they just shift the odds. They don't guarantee anything.

[red]

There's more randomness than most people think. Watson might never have a another hamstring injury. He might have one the first practice. Having good training and therapy plans can help, but they just shift the odds. They don't guarantee anything.

due to the fact that watson has missed multiple game every year (even in college) to hamstring injuries, its a pretty safe bet hes gonna hurt it again

there is seriously something not right with the way he is made, or at least the way his right hamstring is made

he missed 8 game last season with 2 separate right hamstring injuries
missed 3 games his rookie year week 1, 6 and 7 due to his right hamstring
and missed 3 games his senior year in college for right hamstring issues

[run pMc]

due to the fact that watson has missed multiple game every year (even in college) to hamstring injuries, its a pretty safe bet hes gonna hurt it again

there is seriously something not right with the way he is made, or at least the way his right hamstring is made

he missed 8 game last season with 2 separate right hamstring injuries
missed 3 games his rookie year week 1, 6 and 7 due to his right hamstring
and missed 3 games his senior year in college for right hamstring issues

Now do Jaire, Stokes, and Bahktiari. Ope, Bahktiari's been cut.

I don't think Watson's injury issues will completely go away - dude is really tightly wired and I think he'll always be easily dinged up as a result - but I think if his availability improves by even 50% that's a big win for GB. Jayden Reed will see a lot of attention this year, Watson is needed to threaten defenses.
The worrying part is how many right hamstring injuries can he sustain before it completely snaps and/or he loses his speed & explosion?

[Frozen Tundra]

I don't think Watson's injury issues will completely go away - dude is really tightly wired and I think he'll always be easily dinged up as a result - but I think if his availability improves by even 50% that's a big win for GB. Jayden Reed will see a lot of attention this year, Watson is needed to threaten defenses.
The worrying part is how many right hamstring injuries can he sustain before it completely snaps and/or he loses his speed & explosion?

I think this is going to be a career-long issue with him. You're right; chronic recurring hamstring strains frequently have a cumulative effect making reinjury increasingly more likely with each recurrence. I think the biggest issue is that in order to heal properly, the athlete needs to take a lot more time to rest and rehab the injury than the NFL can afford to give him. Hamstrings usually take several weeks (or months) to fully heal, and it's very difficult for a player to take that much time. But if they come back before it's fully healed, it becomes not just likely but probable that they'll reinjure the muscle.

Hamstring injuries account for 12% of all primary injuries in the NFL, and the recurrence rate is 32%. Players also have a 24% chance of sufffering a separate lower-body injury that same season (ankle, knee, groin, etc), from compensating for the hamstring. Wide receivers suffer 55% of all hamstring injuries in the NFL, and are more likely to suffer recurrences.

He may never have another hamstring issue as long as he lives, but the odds are stacked against him. This season is probably his make or break year. If he can sail through 24 without another tweak, maybe we can be optimistic - but if he misses significant time again, we may have to accept that availability is always going to be questionable with him.

[Joemailman]

Ian Rapoport
@RapSheet

The #Panthers have agree to terms with former #Packers OT Yosh Nijman, source said, some depth for the O-line

[Patler]

Ian Rapoport
@RapSheet

The #Panthers have agree to terms with former #Packers OT Yosh Nijman, source said, some depth for the O-line

Nice deal for him: "The NFL Network report said Nijman’s two-year contract is worth $8 million, including $5 million guaranteed, and has up to $7 million more in incentives."

[Joemailman]

Details of Keisean Nixon contract finally out.

3 years, 18 million. 6.5 million signing bonus.

Cap hit by year:

2024: 4 million
2025: 6.8 million
2026:7.2 million

Would save 2.5 million on cap by cutting him in 2025 with 4.3 million dead cap.
Would save 5 million on cap by cutting him in 2026 with 2.2million dead cap.

[run pMc]

Details of Keisean Nixon contract finally out.

3 years, 18 million. 6.5 million signing bonus.

Cap hit by year:

2024: 4 million
2025: 6.8 million
2026:7.2 million

Would save 2.5 million on cap by cutting him in 2025 with 4.3 million dead cap.
Would save 5 million on cap by cutting him in 2026 with 2.2million dead cap.

So it's a deal that is easy to get out of in a year or two. I don't see him getting to 2026 with this contract.


Dillon's contract is good for both sides too:

Per the stipulations of the four-year qualifying contract that Dillon signed, he was allowed to earn up to $2.742 million in 2024. Dillon hit that number exactly, as he’s set to make a $2.575 million base salary with a $167,500 signing bonus. He will only count $1.29 million against the cap, though, as the four-year qualifying contract allows the Packers to pay him an uncapped $1.45 million.

(acmepackingcompany)

[Frozen Tundra]

So it's a deal that is easy to get out of in a year or two. I don't see him getting to 2026 with this contract.

When it comes time to pay the 22 and 23 draft classes, that salary's going to have to go. He might be safe through 25, though.

[run pMc]

When it comes time to pay the 22 and 23 draft classes, that salary's going to have to go. He might be safe through 25, though.

Agree. My guess is his skills will have diminished and they will have a new slot CB by then anyway.

[Frozen Tundra]

Agree. My guess is his skills will have diminished and they will have a new slot CB by then anyway.

Running back 50-60 kickoffs and punts every year puts a lot of wear and tear on a 200-pound man, too.

[Frozen Tundra]

Well, this is a pleasant surprise.... we're $24.5 million under the cap right now.

According to Over The Cap, the Packers have $24.56 million in cap space, the 11th-most in the NFL.

They have the flexibility to sign more free agents, should they wish, and still have plenty left over to sign their upcoming draft class. The Packers won't necessarily spend big on another player, but they can make any move they need to.

https://lombardiave.com/posts/update...y-01hscp7zy983


I'm sure some of that is earmarked for Love, and maybe frontloading contracts for a couple other young players (and of course, you still have a draft class to sign next month, and you need some for in-season free agents), but it sounds like we may be able to add a linebacker or another safety after all.

Plus, we get another $10.5M back on June 1 when Campbell is off the books, and we're projected to be $60,000,000 under in 2025. Obviously Love will get a lot of that, but still - I don't know how Gute did this, but damn. I'm impressed.