There really is endless speculation that the Green Bay Packers will sign former Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant. While I am not opposed to that idea, I think there is no chance of it happening. It seems Aaron Rodgers shares that opinion.
Rodgers talked about that possibility earlier this week.
“Well, we like young receivers, so I’m assuming that’s the way they’re going to keep going,” Rodgers said. “I don’t know why you’d cut Jordy (Nelson) and bring in Dez, but he’s a talented player. He’s going to end up somewhere. If he ends up here, we’ll obviously welcome him with open arms and get him up to speed as quick as possible.”
Yes, Rodgers is still ticked off that general manager Brian Gutekunst released his boy Jordy Nelson.
But let’s play devil’s advocate for a moment. The difference between Nelson and Bryant is simple.
Money.
Nelson was going to count $12-plus million against the Packers’ salary cap had he remained under his existing contract. Bryant can be had on a one-year deal that will probably look like peanuts compared to that.
Bryant wants a prove-it deal and isn’t looking to necessarily cash in. He thinks he’ll do that next year.
As time goes on and he isn’t signed, Bryant’s price gets lower. Nelson signed with the Oakland Raiders for an average of $7 million per season.
And this isn’t to suggest the Packers need or will sign Bryant. They just drafted three receivers — J’Mon Moore (fourth round), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (fifth) and Equanimeous St. Brown (fifth).
It’s a crowded room already.
The only problem with having so many young receivers is the good old Rodgers’ trust factor. It seems to take years for Rodgers to trust a receiver. In some cases, he never does.
So that could be the case even if the Packers signed Bryant.
What’s up with that? Was Jordy his butt brother or what? Shut up play ball !
That’s a great post….Don, well thought out and very well articulated.
But lets examine what Rodgers said….
“I don’t know why you’d cut Jordy (Nelson) and bring in Dez…”
In other words….Don.
I think the point he is trying to make is why give up a veteran player who knows the offense, has a proven chemistry with Rodgers, is a td scoring machine that doesn’t have an ounce of selfishness in him.
Then bring Dez Bryant in to fill the void?
You see where i’m going with this…..Don?