With the negotiations between free agent center Scott Wells and the Green Bay Packers going nowhere the team is exploring other options. Their No. 1 option for replacing Wells appears to be Houston’s Chris Myers.
Myers will be the top center on the free agent market and the Packers met with his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, at the scouting combine. Technically, discussing Myers or a contract is illegal, but you can be sure the Packers communicated their interest.
Myers is slightly bigger than Wells and a year younger. He’s started all 16 games each of the last five seasons and made the Pro Bowl in 2011.
Although some people in the organization still would like to see Wells re-signed, that appears more unlikely by the day.
“We’ll figure it out,” Packers head coach Mike McCarthy told PFW at the Combine. “I’m still hopeful we can work something out from a business standpoint, but if not, we’ll just have to go in another direction. There are different scenarios we’re exploring.”
The problem is Wells wants to be paid around $7.5 million annually, which would make him one of the top-paid centers in the NFL. The Packers are reportedly offering between $4 and $5 million. Fortunately, the team has some leverage. There will be around 10 veteran centers on the free agent market, so the Packers should have no problem finding a replacement if Wells signs elsewhere.
Well, we couldn’t run the ball for shit last year and the Texans had two running backs who each had several 100+ yard games. Time to make the change.
Put Arian Foster behind just about any O-Line and he’ll run for several 100+ yard games.
Good point, AZ.
It isn’t like we would turn into a rushing juggernaut if we replaced Wells, but dude is not a good run blocker.
$4 to $5 million is exactly what he is worth. $7.5 million? He can go fish.
Curiously, Myers should cost more than Wells. I would lean towards an adequate but cheaper replacement.
There are several veteran centers out there. However, most aren’t as good as Wells. The Packers should take one of the cheaper options on the market and possibly draft one in the later rounds of the draft to take over next year.
I’d actually like them to go out and get an upgrade veteran Center right now. Our top end draft picks are worth more in other positions rather than drafting an unknown commodity rookie Center.
Konz’s lack of strength and the glut of proven FA centers probably sealed the deal for the Packers to go in this direction.
TT is making the right decision. Find a Center that wants a ring, will lead the OL to a better run game (needed) and won’t cost the farm.
Packerbob, I agree that Foster is an awesome running back, however Ben Tate also finished at 942 yards last season. At the end of the day, Wells is not the best run blocker… He has done a very nice job of navigating the line on passing downs, however he hasn’t been the best when assisting in run lanes.
Would I take Wells back? Yes, however if there is an upgrade available, they need to make a move or cut their losses and sign someone that can handle the job at a lower cost if Wells is unwilling to take the pay grade which he deserves. I just want whatever we do to be figured out prior to the draft. We need defensive players and possibly another left tackle. Yay!