Brad Jones Probably Playing Elsewhere in 2013
The Green Bay Packers will reportedly have quite a bit of competition if they plan to re-sign inside linebacker Brad Jones.
Although he could be posturing, agent Josh Wright says eight teams have contacted him about Jones since the free agency negotiating window opened Friday night.
That doesn’t bode well for the Packers chances of keeping Jones, who started 10 games at inside linebacker after both Desmond Bishop and D.J. Smith were lost to season-ending injuries.
Realistically, if Jones does indeed have that many suitors, the Packers probably have zero chance of keeping him. Another team will likely be willing to give Jones a starting spot. In Green Bay, he’ll have to battle for playing time with Bishop, Smith and maybe even the completely lackluster A.J. Hawk.
In addition, the Packers have a considerable amount invested in Bishop (a $4.7 million cap hit this season and $4.8 million in 2014) and, unfortunately, Hawk (a $7 million-plus cap hit in each of the next three seasons). That makes it unlikely they’d pay Jones starter money. And with the other financial considerations they have — contract extensions for key players, restricted free agents, draft picks and other areas of weakness to shore up — the Packers probably couldn’t afford to pay Jones starter money if they wanted to.
That’s not good news. The Packers can use all the help they can get at inside linebacker. Other than Hawk being terrible, there’s no guarantee Bishop or Smith will return to form post-injury. With Jones, at least the Packers know they have someone who can fill the position adequately.
Jones was a three-down player in 2012 and finished with 77 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.
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Agents lie. That is pretty much their full time occupation.
That being said, I have seen Brad Jones listed as a potential pick up on a couple other teams’ websites.
Jones might have played himself into some money elsewhere. Good for him.
I would expect the Packers to draft for this position.
Brad Jones should be part of the Green Bay Packers future. If the Packers need money to sign Jones the Packers should consider letting go A. J. Hawk and Jermichael Finley to sign Brad Jones long term.
Get over it peeps…Brad Jones only saw the field because Bishop and Smith went down. So we are fretting over ‘losing’ our 3rd string linebacker.
Some sap team like the eagles will overpay for him and think they got a stud. Then, they will cut him 2 years into a 5 year deal cuz they are cap screwed.
In about 95% of all free agents, the team that knows that player better than any other team in the league, chooses to let him walk. Only about 5% of guys who hit free agency are REALLY wanted by their incumbent teams. Tells you there is a lot of fools gold in free agency.
Brad Jones seems like a nice guy and hard worker. But, he was still 3rd on the depth chart for a reason.
Don’t sweat it everyone. They might have given him a 2nd round RFA tender. In that case, the Packers can match the offer or get a 2nd round pick for him. That could be considerable if the right team selects him. Since he is just coming off his rookie contract he’ll go after the money, he has a ring, which means likely a non-contender which means a better 2nd round draft for him.
I’ve loved the guy since they drafted him but I think a 2nd round pick will work with Bishop and Smith available.