Report: Matthews, Rodgers closing in on new deals with Packers

[Smeefers]

The Packers are paying out an expensive option year to find out if that is true or not. I hope he tears it up; who doesn't? But, is it more likely he will be more like he has been (inconsistent) or a man on a mission (playing for a contract)? They've paid to see, so let's hope it works out in the team's favor.

It really doesn't bother me that the team is overpaying Finley for a year for two reasons. One - It keeps things nice and happy between the organization and Finley in case he finally breaks out this season and turns into the beast he's been hinting at for years. It makes it much easier to do an extension mid season if that's the way the wind is blowing. The dude is has every skill in the book to be the best TE in the league, it all just has to come together. Two - We have the money, we're not spending it anywhere else, so I don't care where it goes. If we were fighting for cap space to sign someone, he would be the first guy I'd point to. We're not doing that, so I don't care where the money goes.

[Joemailman]

Things could still happen with both Williams and Finley.

While I don't think it will happen, Finley is more easily traded now than before his bonus was paid. A lot of teams, including the Packers, would be happy to have him for a season and pay him his remaining $4.5 million (or whatever). The only way I could see the Packers trading him now would be as part of a package deal to move high in the draft and pick a player TT is especially high on, as he did for Matthews. I express this as only a possibility, not something that I think is likely to happen.

Tramon Williams is a different matter, and a decision on him can come much later. I don't believe the Packers have really made a decision on him yet for 2013. He hasn't had a significant bonus due that I am aware of. They have adequate cap room right now to do what they want to do, so lowering his salary is not important just yet. CB are so critical that they probably want to give him every opportunity to return to his 2010 form, and that means giving him the off season to do it. They could still ask him to take a salary reduction before the start of the season, or if they think they can play without him, he could yet be released or traded. At his salary, I think releasing him after TC is a possibility, if he doesn't show signs of returning to his 2010 form and/or if House comes on to play like he did in training camp last year, and both Hayward and Shields play as they did last year. Could be a good spot for another high draft pick. More than likely, Williams will stay with the Packers at his current salary in whatever role he fits, and decision time regarding his Packer career will be next off-season.

The situation with Tramon is a tough one. The Packers could save several million by releasing him this year. On the other hand, if they do, they're one injury away from Jarrett Bush being the nickel back unless they draft someone who can contribute right away. If his shoulder isn't 100% by September, that will be 2 years since the injury. At that point, you would really have to question if he ever will be the player he was.

[Smeefers]

The situation with Tramon is a tough one. The Packers could save several million by releasing him this year. On the other hand, if they do, they're one injury away from Jarrett Bush being the nickel back unless they draft someone who can contribute right away. If his shoulder isn't 100% by September, that will be 2 years since the injury. At that point, you would really have to question if he ever will be the player he was.

You're normally just one injury away from a crappy backup taking over. That doesn't mean you pay a backup a ton of money.

I refuse to give up on him just yet. I know last year left a bad taste in the mouth, but Williams was becoming one of the best CB's in the league. You don't just throw that talent away unless you have good reason for it.