If Rodgers really is the BEST.

[Patler]

the problem is, do you want to keep jones or jordy or cobb?

i personally think we can only keep 2 of the 3. jordy and cobb are bth free agents next year, and i think both might be in that 8-10 million a year range

if you add in jones making 5 or 6, thats a ton of money wrapped up in you QB and his targets

i think if we do resign jones, then packer fans are going to have to come to grips with the idea of jordy and/or cobb no longer being on the team after next season

I would hope to keep Jones at slightly less, but you raise a good point. Looking up his contract reminded me he is a seven year vet. So if I had to choose, I would choose Cobb and Nelson.

My concern for Cobb is durability and consistency. But Jones skill set wouldn't be impossible to duplicate with someone else.

Jones case will be interesting. Will he get a higher level starter contract from someone? If he doesn't, maybe you sign him to a lesser expensive contract now, try to get someone in the draft this year or next, and let Nelson, who will get high level starter money, leave in 2015. Nelson is only a year younger than Jones. Nelson might simply command too big of a salary to stay in GB with Rodgers and Matthews already getting top-for-the-position type contracts.

[Pugger]

He's not the best ever, he's not the best in the NFL right now. He's in the conversation of Top 5, maybe Top 3, and is certainly considered elite.
I don't have the exact #'s, but the Packers have something like $20million in cap space with 17 free agents...so they'll have to figure out who to keep from Shields, Jones, Raji, Finley, EDS, Pickett, Quarless, etc. and keep room for signing draft picks and probably set money aside for Jordy, Cobb, Bulaga next year. When all is said and done, not a lot left to sign a bunch of FA's, although I agree a few carefully targeted signings could help. Maybe they dump a couple of contracts, but the contracts as-structured have to gain them enough extra space to make carrying the dead money worth it. I'm not seeing TT going that route.

I also don't think we'll see any blockbuster Woodson-like signings. The team is at a different point than back then. If TT signs a veteran, it will be at/near the vet minimum...maybe he splurges and signs someone to 2yr/$3M.
IOW, if you want a lot of big FA signings and to win the off-season a la Dan Snyder, prepare to be frustrated.

Most folks say there are 3 or perhaps 4 elite QBs right now that are head and shoulders above the rest (#4 being Brees). The other 3 are so damn close it is really splitting hairs rating them. In 2013 Manning had a career year, Brady didn't have any decent WRs and Rodgers missed half the season but they all put up exceptional numbers. I found it interesting to look at raw data and Aaron still had great stats this year even tho he missed so many games.

http://www.nfl.com/player/aaronrodgers/2506363/careerstats

[call_me_ishmael]

There is no way Jordy leaves. JJ is probably gone. He is a decent player but he can be replaced for cheaper.

[mraynrand]

There is no way Jordy leaves. JJ is probably gone. He is a decent player but he can be replaced for cheaper.

I'm inclined to agree, since Rodgers obviously like throwing to Nelson. Still, it doesn't take much to change circumstances. If TT sees a receiver he likes in the draft, Jordy could be gone just like Jennings, especially if Nelson's offered more than the Packers will pay. And the Packers don't seem to budge much at all - they set a price and stick with it.

[QBME]

I'm inclined to agree, since Rodgers obviously like throwing to Nelson. Still, it doesn't take much to change circumstances. If TT sees a receiver he likes in the draft, Jordy could be gone just like Jennings, especially if Nelson's offered more than the Packers will pay. And the Packers don't seem to budge much at all - they set a price and stick with it.

Of course there is always the possibility of the Packers extending his contract before he ever gets to FA, like AR and Clay.

[call_me_ishmael]

I'm inclined to agree, since Rodgers obviously like throwing to Nelson. Still, it doesn't take much to change circumstances. If TT sees a receiver he likes in the draft, Jordy could be gone just like Jennings, especially if Nelson's offered more than the Packers will pay. And the Packers don't seem to budge much at all - they set a price and stick with it.

Jordy will be extended before training camp. Take it to the bank (the blood bank). He'll take a team friendly contract of 8M, too.

[mraynrand]

Jordy will be extended before training camp. Take it to the bank (the blood bank). He'll take a team friendly contract of 8M, too.

that's the key - Jordy's number has to match what FO has in their heads

[Cheesehead Craig]

that's the key - Jordy's number has to match what FO has in their heads

So before you get forever gone from Packerrats, who is your new avatar?

[Patler]

Jordy will be extended before training camp. Take it to the bank (the blood bank). He'll take a team friendly contract of 8M, too.

That's the key. If Nelson feels "disrespected" by anything less than a top of the heap contract, he'll be gone. With how willingly and quietly he signed the last team-friendly extension, I am hopeful something gets done now, too. A big body receiver like Nelson can easily have another 5-6 years as a top-flight receiver, and even more after that as a still very good receiver.

But, the Packers won't sign him at all costs. How many times did I read comments from fans during the 2011 and 2012 seasons something like this: "No way they let Jennings leave. You can't let your best receiver walk away."? The Packers have shown they will, and that they will quickly turn a younger receiver into the new "best" and new "favorite". If TT comes up with another Jennings, Jones, Nelson or Cobb in the draft this year, it could influence how much they are willing to spend to keep Nelson and/or Cobb, although I think an $8-9M contract will be available if Nelson is willing to take it.

[mraynrand]

So before you get forever gone from Packerrats, who is your new avatar?

I believe it is Clive Cluster. Ask Woody

[Freak Out]

LOL. When did the Woodster ask for your banning Rand?

[mraynrand]

LOL. When did the Woodster ask for your banning Rand?

when did he not? It's all over this thread and in the PR jukebox. I think he wants to punch me out too - but only on the internet. He also wants Clive Cluster gone too.

[Freak Out]

Jumping Jehoshaphat!

[MadtownPacker]

I might grant Woody his wish if I could only read through his entire post to find the request. Ahh fuck it, let em fight to the death, like Hunger Games.

[Cheesehead Craig]

I'd tell them to take it to The Meadow, but since I am the ruler there I don't want them ruining my nice meadow where Charlize Theron and I lounge about.