The Green Bay Packers have decided not to tender restricted free agent linebacker Jayrone Elliott, thus making him an unrestricted free agent.
The lowest tender for Elliott would have been $1.797 million, but the Packers obviously didn’t want to pay that much. They are reportedly still negotiating to bring Elliott back at a lower rate, but they will likely have some competition for his services.
Elliott has shown flashes as a playmaker in the past, primarily in the preseason and in brief appearances in 2015. We all remember how he basically took over the Seattle game that season. However, Elliott never really developed as most of us anticipated in 2016, when he was given ample opportunity to earn a larger role on defense.
Elliott bulked up in an effort to become an every-down player and he seemed to lose his quickness in the process.
We questioned whether he should even make the roster coming out of training camp. It was a preseason in which Elliott made no plays of note.
Elliott ended up playing in 11 games in 2016, primarily on special teams. He tallied 19 tackles and one sack on the season.
If the Packers end up losing him, we won’t shed a tear.
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There are a lot of solid veteran pass rushers available. DeMarcus Ware, Connor Barwin, Elvis Dumervill, Dwight Freeney, ect. They will likely be fairly cheap pieces that can upgrade the pass rush. Elliott hasn’t shown much, not even great against the run. I wouldn’t be upset if they didn’t keep him.