The Green Bay Packers could very well lose safety Sean Richardson to the Oakland Raiders.
Richardson, a restricted free agent, signed an offer sheet with the Raiders on Tuesday. Oakland is offering a one-year deal for $2.55 million.
The Packers tendered Richardson at $1.542 million last month.
The attraction to Oakland for Richardson is obvious. More money and more playing time. In Green Bay, he’s a bit player stuck behind Morgan Burnett and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
Although he saw his playing time increase as the 2014 season wore on, Richardson has no chance to start in Green Bay short of an injury.
The Packers will have until Tuesday to decide whether to match the Raiders’ offer. If they don’t, they’ll lose Richardson without compensation.
The cupboard isn’t exactly bare, however. Behind the starters, Green Bay still has Micah Hyde, who opened 2014 as a starter at safety, and Chris Banjo.
The question really is, do the Packers want to lose another defensive back after losing cornerback Tramon Williams and Davon House earlier this offseason?
In Richardson, they’d also be losing a core special teams player.
But is $2.5 million worth it for a backup and special teams player?
We’ll find out.
Good article….but the words “We’ll find out” are obvious and unnecessary to state.
The only way we would not find out? Do not follow the news.
Didn’t think Ted would match for Bush when Tennessee signed him to an offer sheet a few years back. Richardson is in a similar situation, backup and special teams player only. Doesn’t feel like he should be in the top 15 of salaries – although with gb’s ‘Stars and Scrubs’ payroll situation he would be up there for sure.
I like Richardson- definitely should sign him. If anything can trade him down the line and at least get something for him if he isn’t needed.
Way too much money. There are players on the street that can come in at a fraction of the price
If they think he can start, then obviously Richardson has more value to Oakland than he does to us. Let him go and good luck to him.
Kato is right. There are guys with similar talent that you can pay league minimum for.
I would guess that TT would have tendered Richardson the mid level restricted free agent offer at approx. 2.35 mil if TT thought Richardson was worth that. Hard to see how TT would suddenly believe Richardson is worth 2.55 mil. If TT believes Richardson can play in multiple sub packages because conditions have changed (losses in free agency and releases) maybe TT signs, but unlikely.
I like Richardson, but not at that price. Kato and Shawn have it right. Best of luck. I hope he turns into a capable starter for them.
It’s not about the price. It’s about positioning yourself to win SB when you can afford it. He is a veteran and has the rare combination of size and speed that we don’t have on the team to cover and tackle the monster Tight Ends and Running Backs. He also hits like a truck and we need that physicality and depth. He will be missed badly in December and January.
Sean is an incredible specimen. He was top performer in almost every category for his position at the combine and is one of the biggest safeties at 6’2″ 220 lbs. 4.5 40 and 38.5″ vertical, 22 reps bench press. I really want to keep this guy around and rotate him in to keep Burnett and HHCD fresh. We always suck at the DB in fourth quarter so we need to rotate more.