Although they’ve traditionally only kept five in the Mike McCarthy era, the Green Bay Packers could keep six receivers on the active roster this season, according to the coach.
“The way we play, you could make a legitimate argument for six receivers,” Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said on Wednesday
“Our roster will be challenged as far as six receivers. That’s something you get into in training camp. I don’t think roster spots will be determined here over the next couple of weeks. Special teams will play a big part in which positions are heavier than others.”
The top four spots are pretty well set, with Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Randall Cobb. After that, the Packers have 37-year-old veteran Donald Driver, who just restructured his deal, and practice squad players Diondre Borel and Tori Gurley.
Both Gurley and Borel made a strong push to make the active roster last season and should do so again this season. Both players were also offered contracts by other teams last season, but the Packers gave them raises to keep them on the practice squad.
Even if the Packers kept six receivers, they’d likely have to part ways with one of the three — either by releasing Driver or trying to stash Borel or Gurley on the practice squad, where they’d probably be pursued by another team again.
Although it’s a good position to be in, the Packers look like they’re going to have a tough decision to make. Let’s hope they make the right one.