Corey Linsley released, retirement coming

[Guiness]

Chargers have released Corey Linsley and he has said he will almost certainly retire.

He missed most of last season after being diagnosed with a heart condition. He had finished just one year of his 5 year $62.5million contract which was the highest ever for a center.

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/chargers-release-corey-linsley-who-is-expected-to-retire

[call_me_ishmael]

Two years right? Good for him for getting plenty of money and getting out healthy. Seems like they have a great family rollin' so that sounds great to me.

[Guiness]

Two years right? Good for him for getting plenty of money and getting out healthy. Seems like they have a great family rollin' so that sounds great to me.

Oops, you're right, 2 years, '21 and '22, then a couple of games in '23 before going on the NFI list. At a glance I thought he only played one season for them.

[Sparkey]

Never gave up a sack as a member of the Chargers. Heck of a football player

[bobblehead]

Two years right? Good for him for getting plenty of money and getting out healthy. Seems like they have a great family rollin' so that sounds great to me.

He's not healthy, he has a pretty bad heart condition the way I understand it.

For those that think the cap doesn't matter, we lost Lindsey as a cap casualty. He went on to be pretty much the best center in football for a couple more seasons.

Maybe Monk will be our next 5th round center stud!

[texaspackerbacker]

We lost Linsley because he wanted too much money, and the Packers wisely let him get it elsewhere. I'd say that even if he wasn't retiring a year into a long term contract. Good Centers just aren't that hard to find, and O Line in general shouldn't be a big money priority.

[Guiness]

Just saw that the comp pick the Pack got for him turned into Zach Tom. That was a pretty nice parting gift he left the team!

[Scott Campbell]

This isn’t going to help Brian shed his allergy to 3rd contracts.

Corey Linsley had a great career here. I wonder if he’s got a shot at the Packer HoF.

[Joemailman]

This isn’t going to help Brian shed his allergy to 3rd contracts.

Corey Linsley had a great career here. I wonder if he’s got a shot at the Packer HoF.

We'll find out soon enough. Kenny Clark is in the last year of his contract. (3 void years).

I'd say Linsley is in. Played only 7 seasons with Packers, but was 1st team All-Pro in 2020 and had 4 seasons where he played every offensive snap.

[Patler]

We'll find out soon enough. Kenny Clark is in the last year of his contract. (3 void years).


Clark is a somewhat unusual case. He won't even be 29 years old until October. It's easier to give a third contract to a player that young.

[RashanGary]

Clark is a somewhat unusual case. He won't even be 29 years old until October. It's easier to give a third contract to a player that young.

Been durable too.

[bobblehead]

We lost Linsley because he wanted too much money, and the Packers wisely let him get it elsewhere. I'd say that even if he wasn't retiring a year into a long term contract. Good Centers just aren't that hard to find, and O Line in general shouldn't be a big money priority.

It wasn't wise, Lindsey was MUCH better than Myers and we could have used that 2nd elsewhere. And he played 2 seasons. At least get the facts straight when offering a wrong opinion. He was entering year 4 of a 5 year deal and lets be honest, the way most contracts are structured the first 3 are lower base and signing bonus money so SD didn't get screwed by him retiring. He had one of those sudden heart conditions that no one could have predicted. He passed every physical and was an ironman right up until a few weeks into last season so its not like he was a bigger injury risk than anyone else. And how many games has Myers missed? I would have preferred Lindsey for 2021 and 2022 seasons.

[Scott Campbell]

It wasn't wise, Lindsey was MUCH better than Myers and we could have used that 2nd elsewhere.

We had cap issues, and Meyers had a MUCH better contract. I don’t think they value interior lineman enough for a 3rd contract.

[Scott Campbell]

Clark is a somewhat unusual case. He won't even be 29 years old until October. It's easier to give a third contract to a player that young.

His age is a plus. A negative is that he’s pretty high mileage for 29. Another plus is that good DTs are pretty hard to come by these days.

I personally wouldn’t break the bank for him, but would be open to a reasonable extension.

[Fritz]

His age is a plus. A negative is that he’s pretty high mileage for 29. Another plus is that good DTs are pretty hard to come by these days.

I personally wouldn’t break the bank for him, but would be open to a reasonable extension.

It's crazy what "reasonable" is in the NFL these days.

I don't think Clark's going to settle for much less than top dollar. The position he plays is so crucial, and APB is so wrong about Clark - Clark is really good - that he's going to want to be paid like a top-end interior defensive lineman.

I think he's worth that third contract. It would seem that, unlike Love, Clark would want a longer deal. I don't know how long - you don't want to sign him for seven or eight years, that's for sure.

[bobblehead]

Clark is a somewhat unusual case. He won't even be 29 years old until October. It's easier to give a third contract to a player that young.

Plus, the very important skill set of "big man" doesn't go away with age. A lot more big men play well into their 30's than guys who rely on speed and agility.

[bobblehead]

We had cap issues, and Meyers had a MUCH better contract. I don’t think they value interior lineman enough for a 3rd contract.

Yes. The entire point of the debate is that Tex thinks the cap is a myth and we can sign whoever we want. I was pointing out that he was a cap casualty.

[Joemailman]

In 2020, Linsley also missed all or most of 5 games with back and knee injuries. That may also have contributed to the Packers not wanting to bet on his future.

[texaspackerbacker]

Yes. The entire point of the debate is that Tex thinks the cap is a myth and we can sign whoever we want. I was pointing out that he was a cap casualty.

You want to make this thread about the cap too? ok, I'll play.

Obviously, the cap is not a "myth". It exists, just like the speed limit on streets and highways. Does everybody follow it to the letter? Hell no. Virtually everybody to more or less of an extent find a way to beat, bypass, manipulate, whatever both of those things and a lot of other things in life. There are many ways to defeat or get around the cap - most of which the Packers have done with great success over the decades that the cap has existed, especially with Gutekunst.

I really don't recall any moves the Packers have made (or not made) that were strictly because of the cap/not a good idea to do regardless of the cap.

As for Linsley, he was good, but slightly overrated, as were O Lines during most of the Rodgers years because of Rodgers' mobility and accuracy.

Meyers was drafted to be an upgrade or at least equal to Linsley from day one. He may not have been exactly that, but he's a helluva lot better player than many in here give him credit for.

IMO, it's unwise to spend really big money in general on O Line, as the difference between just ok and perceived by many as good is really not very much. As long as you aren't forced to start Marshall House or maybe the second year version of Royce Newman, pretty much anything goes in terms of O Line quality that leads to success.

[RashanGary]

His age is a plus. A negative is that he’s pretty high mileage for 29. Another plus is that good DTs are pretty hard to come by these days.

I personally wouldn’t break the bank for him, but would be open to a reasonable extension.

Agree. He’s a good DT, there aren’t many good ones so he should get paid. But top dollar…. No way.

[Scott Campbell]

I really don't recall any moves the Packers have made (or not made) that were strictly because of the cap/not a good idea to do regardless of the cap.



They happen all the time. Nearly every season “restructure” moves are announced that convert current year salary into a bonus where the cap hit gets spread out over the remainder of the contract. The cap is the only reason these moves are made.

Another move the Packers just made was the DeVondre Campbell cut. They specifically designated him as a post June 1 cut for the sole reason of spreading the dead money cap hit over 2 years instead of just this year.

[texaspackerbacker]

THAT is precisely what I was referring to by defeating the cap. As you say, it happens every time it needs to happen.

Campbell was cut because after a great season and a big contract, he faded fast and was no longer worth the money. THAT, not the cap, was why he is gone, and the Packers will be better for it.

[bobblehead]

Lindsley was still a pro bowl center. The ONLY reason you let that guy leave is because of cap concerns. You never let a guy like that go otherwise.

[texaspackerbacker]

Unless you figure that the money he was demanding was more than a Pro Bowl Center was worth, and you figure you can find a very adequate replacement for a lot less

[RashanGary]

We’ve drafted OL well for 30 years. This is a bit of a privileged Packer fan comment here, but I don’t like paying guards and centers too much.

[bobblehead]

Unless you figure that the money he was demanding was more than a Pro Bowl Center was worth, and you figure you can find a very adequate replacement for a lot less

That simply wasn't the case though. And if you are "all in" trying to win, you still overpay him. Face it Tex. Linsley was a cap casualty. He just was. Any noise you make saying otherwise is just that. Noise. Same as Campbell. We cut a good NFL off the ball LB while switching to a 4-3. It created a draft NEED instead of BPA situation. That was for cap considerations, not because suddenly they decided Campbell couldn't play LB any longer or his worth plummeted in one season.

[Joemailman]

The release of Campbell was both cap related and results related. He had declined noticeably since his great 2021 season. I think Packers would have been looking for an upgrade even if his cap hit was much lower. His large cap hit just made it an easy decision.

[texaspackerbacker]

We’ve drafted OL well for 30 years. This is a bit of a privileged Packer fan comment here, but I don’t like paying guards and centers too much.

That's one way of looking at it. What I would say, though, is that we had super QBs who made mediocre O Linemen get overrated all that time - outstanding O Linemen just not being all that necessary for winning football. You're right to not like paying Guards and Centers or really any O Linemen all that much because they just aren't that big of a factor in succcess.

[texaspackerbacker]

bobblehead, if you want to call Linsley a cap casualty, fine, as he was a good player. The fact is, though, they were as well off without him as with him. I suppose part of cap manipulation is prioritizing positions, and O Line should be low on that list.

[bobblehead]

The release of Campbell was both cap related and results related. He had declined noticeably since his great 2021 season. I think Packers would have been looking for an upgrade even if his cap hit was much lower. His large cap hit just made it an easy decision.

Half agree. He was fighting an injury and wasn't as good as he was without fighting an injury. Everyone agreed with that. He is still however a solid LB who is still 30 years old. He would have been an asset to have on the roster and his COST (not cap number) was just under $7 million. The rest he already collected.

Yes, they wanted to be younger and better, but bottom line, Campbell was cut MORE for freeing up cap space than he was for his play during an injury plagued season.

[bobblehead]

That's one way of looking at it. What I would say, though, is that we had super QBs who made mediocre O Linemen get overrated all that time - outstanding O Linemen just not being all that necessary for winning football. You're right to not like paying Guards and Centers or really any O Linemen all that much because they just aren't that big of a factor in succcess.

Lindsley was an absolute stud for SD. Did Herbert make him look great?

[bobblehead]

bobblehead, if you want to call Linsley a cap casualty, fine, as he was a good player. The fact is, though, they were as well off without him as with him. I suppose part of cap manipulation is prioritizing positions, and O Line should be low on that list.

Yes, I understand that you don't think blocking defensive players is very important. You are in a huge minority on that opinion though. The game is won in the trenches. Overpaying WR is where teams really screw up. Tell me, how many times did Bellicheat pay WR? He made sure he had a good OL which in turn provided Brady with a solid run game and time to destroy defenses.

[Bretsky]

bobblehead, if you want to call Linsley a cap casualty, fine, as he was a good player. The fact is, though, they were as well off without him as with him. I suppose part of cap manipulation is prioritizing positions, and O Line should be low on that list.

Linsley was an ABSOLUTE CAP CASUALTY.


GB is going great financially. Linsley was one of the best centers in the NFL. If there was no salary cap, we 100% keep him in Green Bay.

There is a salary cap, and it is real.

That is why Love is not signed yet. We're trying to get the numbers right so we can keep our WR's and TE's down the road

[texaspackerbacker]

Lindsley was an absolute stud for SD. Did Herbert make him look great?

I didn't see many charger games, but Herbert also is a great mobile QB, so yes, he probably did make Linsley and his O Line in general seem better than they were.

Whining sarcastically that "blocking D players isn't very important" is about as stupid as sarcastically whining that maybe you don't need an O Line at all. What I said and stand by is that the difference between medi0crity in the O Line and greatness is not a helluva lot. "The game is won in the trenches"? Talk about wrongheaded, at best outdated and really probably never true. You mentioned Brady; Brady was an immobile QB, and that kind of QB probably did/does need more quality O Line blocking. Love, Rodgers, Favre, and increasingly most top quality QBs are mobile and are gonna excel with just barely adequate O Line blocking - like we saw for the Packers for the last 3 decades or so.

And Bretsky, overpaying for O Line, even a good one like Linsley was, would have been unwise regardless of the cap situation. Even though the cap is eminently defeatable, it's not nothing, and that same money can be spent other better ways. Bottom line is, the Packers were fine without Linsley, just as fine as they woulda been with him IMO.

[Bretsky]

I would say a cap casualty is when somebody is an awesome player, and the team would like to keep him, but they choose not to because his fair market value is quite a bit higher than they would want to dedicate to the salary cap. That was Linsley

[RashanGary]

Tex once again in conflict with the majority :wink:

[texaspackerbacker]

And usually on these same two topics: the perceived value of O Line versus real value, and how to handle the salary cap. I stand by everything I've said in both areas. If others are different, then they're wrong hahahaha.

[Fritz]

Corey Linsley was a very good center. Are centers as expendable as Tex thinks?

Let's ask the Lions how they'd feel about losing Frank Ragnow again to injury. Because you can't see the drop-off in play so easily as you can, say, the drop-off between a starting and back-up QB, it's easy to think they're all about the same. But wouldn't most all of us like to have Apollo Creed Humphrey over center than I'm not Joshing Myers?

[Joemailman]

Corey Linsley was a very good center. Are centers as expendable as Tex thinks?

Let's ask the Lions how they'd feel about losing Frank Ragnow again to injury. Because you can't see the drop-off in play so easily as you can, say, the drop-off between a starting and back-up QB, it's easy to think they're all about the same. But wouldn't most all of us like to have Apollo Creed Humphrey over center than I'm not Joshing Myers?

Actually, before spending a 2nd round pick on Myers, the Packers had had an almost uninterrupted string of outstanding Centers without spending that high of a draft pick on one:

Frank Winters - 10th round by Browns
Mike Flanagan - 3rd round
Scott Wells - 7th round
Corey Linsley - 5th round

Perhaps Monk will be the next one. But not this year.

[ThunderDan]

You missed EDS.

[Joemailman]

You missed EDS.

I didn't miss him. I just didn't feel he was in the same class as the other guys. Decent player.

[RashanGary]

You missed Lucas Patrick and JC Tretter

[texaspackerbacker]

That list - including Linsley - illustrates what I say about the importance or lack of it of Centers and O Line in general. I liked Meyers when they drafted him because he was big as Centers go. Ditto that for Linsley who as I recall was selected 2 rounds after Tretter who was smaller. And I think most of the negativity about Meyers is not justified. He's been good in the run game - evidenced by most of our successful runs going through the G/C hole, and he's been generally adequate in pass protection.

I always said, Rodgers' mobility and accuracy made our O Line look better than they were. Myers arrived when Rodgers was getting older and a little less mobile. I think if the guy was a 4th, 5th, or 6th rounder - lower expectations, he'd be getting a lot less criticism.

I doubt Monk or anybody else replaces Myers anytime soon.

[bobblehead]

Tretter was bigger than Linsley. Tretter could have been an average RT in the NFL. Tretter was also pretty comparable to Linsley as a C. Still one of my top 5 TT gripes was not keeping Tretter around to play guard.

[run pMc]

Agree Linsley was absolutely a cap casualty.
The team chose signing Aaron Jones over keeping Linsley.

Tex debated who was more worth keeping - Jones or Linsley - in this very forum. You can look it up.

Linsley was an undersized guy hitting free agency just before hitting age 29. You're not signing that guy to a mega contract if you have cap constraints. It's why they drafted Josh Myers.

[Sparkey]

The three years the Charges got from Linsley was better then the three the Packers got from Myers.

[Scott Campbell]

The three years the Charges got from Linsley was better then the three the Packers got from Myers.

Myers might edge him out this year.

[SudsMcBucky]

The three years the Charges got from Linsley was better then the three the Packers got from Myers.

They BETTER have with how much it cost them to HAVE Linsley.

[bobblehead]

Agree Linsley was absolutely a cap casualty.
The team chose signing Aaron Jones over keeping Linsley.

Tex debated who was more worth keeping - Jones or Linsley - in this very forum. You can look it up.

Linsley was an undersized guy hitting free agency just before hitting age 29. You're not signing that guy to a mega contract if you have cap constraints. It's why they drafted Josh Myers.

Tex thinks all players and humans are equal as football players and by donning Green and Gold they become much better than other players. When they change colors, they regress back to the mean.

[ThunderDan]

Myers might edge him out this year.

That's the old Scott Campbell that I have missed.

[RashanGary]

That's the old Scott Campbell that I have missed.

SC’s wit is a blessing.

It’s like a girl who loves sucking dick. She is a blessing. But there is a such thing as being too blessed, like when she keeps sucking you off when you’ve had too much.

Retired SC is when she grows up and knows when to quit. Young SC was a turbo slut who didn’t know when enough was enough :lol:

But yeah, i really like SC too. He’s a good time.

[texaspackerbacker]

Tex thinks all players and humans are equal as football players and by donning Green and Gold they become much better than other players. When they change colors, they regress back to the mean.

Yeah, it certainly does seem that way sometimes.

A lot of dumbasses in here and maybe in the media don't like Myers. It seems like LaFleur, Gutekunst, et al don't see it that way. It will be interesting to see how this all shakes out.

[Bretsky]

That list - including Linsley - illustrates what I say about the importance or lack of it of Centers and O Line in general. I liked Meyers when they drafted him because he was big as Centers go. Ditto that for Linsley who as I recall was selected 2 rounds after Tretter who was smaller. And I think most of the negativity about Meyers is not justified. He's been good in the run game - evidenced by most of our successful runs going through the G/C hole, and he's been generally adequate in pass protection.

I always said, Rodgers' mobility and accuracy made our O Line look better than they were. Myers arrived when Rodgers was getting older and a little less mobile. I think if the guy was a 4th, 5th, or 6th rounder - lower expectations, he'd be getting a lot less criticism.

I doubt Monk or anybody else replaces Myers anytime soon.



Are you saying GB is going to pony up the money truck for Myers, or set him free ?

I think Monk is our starting center next year and we'll get him some time there this year to get him a bit more ready

[Bretsky]

Yeah, it certainly does seem that way sometimes.

A lot of dumbasses in here and maybe in the media don't like Myers. It seems like LaFleur, Gutekunst, et al don't see it that way. It will be interesting to see how this all shakes out.


They should just sign your manlove Grayson Allen to play C of Offense

God knows he can't play defense :)))))))))

[Scott Campbell]

Are you saying GB is going to pony up the money truck for Myers, or set him free ?

I think Monk is our starting center next year and we'll get him some time there this year to get him a bit more ready

Or if neither of those two don’t pan out they might pick up somebody else. I think Tex is right about the staff liking something about Meyers that the rest of us aren’t seeing. I sure can’t figure out what it is.

[Scott Campbell]

SC’s wit is a blessing.

It’s like a girl who loves sucking dick. She is a blessing. But there is a such thing as being too blessed, like when she keeps sucking you off when you’ve had too much.

Retired SC is when she grows up and knows when to quit. Young SC was a turbo slut who didn’t know when enough was enough :lol:

But yeah, i really like SC too. He’s a good time.

This is a very lovely sentiment. Though it would mean more coming from your brother.

[Joemailman]

Or if neither of those two don’t pan out they might pick up somebody else. I think Tex is right about the staff liking something about Meyers that the rest of us aren’t seeing. I sure can’t figure out what it is.

A lot of what a Center does happens pre-snap. Especially with an inexperienced QB. That might be what they like. It might be less important as Love gains more experience. They traded up to get Monk for a reason.

[Scott Campbell]

A lot of what a Center does happens pre-snap. Especially with an inexperienced QB. That might be what they like. It might be less important as Love gains more experience. They traded up to get Monk for a reason.


Yeah, I’ve heard Andy talking about them liking his protection calls, and I guess you can’t really grade that watching tape.

[RashanGary]

A lot of what a Center does happens pre-snap. Especially with an inexperienced QB. That might be what they like. It might be less important as Love gains more experience. They traded up to get Monk for a reason.

When we drafted Lindsley in the 5th, one of McGinns scouts said, “they drafted a center in the 5th round, yeah, they think he’s going to start” or something very close to that.

Centers are typically not drafted very high.


This is said to be an incredibly thin draft though. 5th round might be more like 7th from a typical draft.

[texaspackerbacker]

Are you saying GB is going to pony up the money truck for Myers, or set him free ?

I think Monk is our starting center next year and we'll get him some time there this year to get him a bit more ready

Good question. I'd say 60/40 he stays beyond this year.

[bobblehead]

SC’s wit is a blessing.

It’s like a girl who loves sucking dick. She is a blessing. But there is a such thing as being too blessed, like when she keeps sucking you off when you’ve had too much.

Retired SC is when she grows up and knows when to quit. Young SC was a turbo slut who didn’t know when enough was enough :lol:

But yeah, i really like SC too. He’s a good time.

So you're calling scott a shameless ho.

[bobblehead]

They should just sign your manlove Grayson Allen to play C of Offense

God knows he can't play defense :)))))))))

Everyone knows Allen is a guard, not a center.

[call_me_ishmael]

Are you saying GB is going to pony up the money truck for Myers, or set him free ?

I think Monk is our starting center next year and we'll get him some time there this year to get him a bit more ready

Agreed.

[Joemailman]

If Myers continues at his present level of play, the Packers will be looking for an upgrade. If Myers improves, his market in free agency will be more than the Packers want to pay a Center.

[Scott Campbell]

If Myers continues at his present level of play, the Packers will be looking for an upgrade. If Myers improves, his market in free agency will be more than the Packers want to pay a Center.

Agreed. I’d point to the ridiculous contract that JRJ just got with the Giants as evidence of how desperate other teams are for O lineman.

[Fritz]

No matter how he plays or what happens, it's hard to imagine any scenario in which Myers is with the Packers next year.

[Joemailman]

No matter how he plays or what happens, it's hard to imagine any scenario in which Myers is with the Packers next year.

Vikings need a Center?

[run pMc]

I think Myers is 'just ok' and for a R2 pick a bit underwhelming.

He's a reliable snapper and very good athlete. I agree with others that they probably like his pre-snap competencies, and matched with a first-year starter that has real value. He's generally pretty tough and hasn't missed a lot of time to his injuries.

My biggest problem with him is that he's too inconsistent for as many games as he's played now. He'll look good for 2 snaps, and then on the 3rd snap look almost unplayable. A lot of the successful runs last year were Aaron Jones running outside the G or even the T, not in the A gaps.
He's on the tall side for a C at 6'5" and I wonder if that's his issue at times -- part of me wonders if he would be better at G. Either way, I don't think he's a bad player, but I do think he's a player you're ok with for now but looking to replace.

With that, I think it's unlikely he's back next year, unless it's on a prove-it deal to compete with Monk. I think they hope Monk is the future at C (assuming they don't move Tom) but if he flops I could see Myers back. I'd think it unlikely though, as I expect Myers will get interest in FA and some team will overbid for him.