Jason Spitz Signs His Tender

Spitz is on board.

The news isn’t earth-shattering, but Green Bay Packers’ offensive lineman and restricted free agent Jason Spitz has signed his tender and reported for the team’s offseason program.

The deal will pay him $1.76 million for the 2010 season.

Spitz will compete with Daryn Colledge – also a restricted free agent – for the starting left guard spot. Colledge has not signed his tender and has fueled speculation he isn’t happy with the Packers by his offseason comments.

Spitz played primarily as a right guard his first three seasons – a position where Josh Sitton is now entrenched – and started all 16 games in 2008, before moving to center last season. Spitz was uneven at best as the starting center before having season-ending back surgery on Nov. 11.

Scott Wells reclaimed a strong hold on the starting center position in Spitz’s absence. However, with Spitz now fully healthy and Colledge likely not participating in the offseason program, Spitz looks to be the front-runner to win the left guard spot.

In addition to Colledge, the Packers’ other restricted free agents who haven’t signed their tenders are defensive end Johnny Jolly, cornerback Tramon Williams, safety Atari Bigby and fullback John Kuhn. Kuhn is the only one currently working out with the team.