Coming right out of left field, Ian Rapoport is reporting that RB Aaron Jones, who was expected to move on this coming season due to his value seeming to exceed the Packers’ cap limits, will remain a Packer for the next four years. This comes after the Packers opted not to place the franchise tag on him.
From Free Agency Frenzy: The #Packers locked in the top RB in free agency, who happens to be their own — Aaron Jones stays in GB. pic.twitter.com/TbX2fp7Hqb
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2021
The deal includes a $13 million sign on bonus. This moves indicates that the Packers could be keeping most of their 2020 offense intact to make another go in 2021.
That’s good. Better win a Super Bowl soon or the Cap situation in the future will force them to do some unpleasant things.
This is the best news regarding the Packers so far this year! This keeps the light shining a bit more. There is still more work to do, but this is a great sign from Packer world.
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Still not sold on that new DC, time will tell . . . but at least they will still will have a good one-two punch offensively.
Ok….once my head stops spinning.
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I’m hoping someday to understand Gutenkunst. Did he draft a rb in round 2 to replace Williams?
Is AJ Dillon still a bench player?
Do we….have enough high pick bench players yet….Gute?
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As much as i love Aaron Jones, 12 mill/year is pretty steep for a rb. Not that he doesn’t deserve it but….I reserve further judgement until i see the details of the contract.
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As everyone knows, i was completely onboard with the franchise tag at 8.1 million. That was a bargain, and the right move imo.
Then if you want, Tag him again next season for 10 million or so.
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So that way, you get him for 1 season, with a team option (so to speak) for another season, with far less cash outlay and commitment.
After those two years, Rodgers is most likely gone, then where are we going?
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That’s what made sense to me.
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So what are the implications…..
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Can we afford Will Fuller, trade for Stephon Gilmore?
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At some point through the years, are we going to get a cornerback who isn’t a liability? And i don’t know…possibly add another receiver?
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Maybe we can draft a corner and get him developed before Rodgers leaves. No sense in doing that too early, like a year or two ago.
I agree with PF4L I want to see the first two years of this contract before saying to much. If the first two years with the signing bonus (13 mil?) only add up to around 20 million or a little over then the Packers probably made the right decision in signing Jones. I think the 2021 and 2022 salaries will be near the minimum range. The telling features will be if there is any roster bonus in 2021, and how big the roster and workout bonuses are for 2022. The Packers tend to have roster bonuses in the second year of a four year veteran contract at approximately 11 to 14 percent of the contract value.
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I think if the Packers had put the franchise tag on Jones, he would not have been a Packer in the 2021 season and beyond. No matter how good of a Packer Jones is, Rosenhaus would have made sure Jones was not a Packer.
Keep in mind the guaranteed money. Remember that issue was brought up when talking about why he hired a new agent. It was speculated that he wasn’t happy with the guaranteed amount.
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Of course, we need to wait until the contract details are released, but something is telling me that Russ Ball isn’t taking Drew Rosenhaus to school in negotiating a players contract.
I think Jones helped the Packers and Jones out. This contract is really a 2 year contract paying out about 20 million total in the first two years including signing bonus. Basically the Packers are getting Jones for about the same total cost as franchising him for 2 years. The potential advantage for Jones is if the Packers don’t want to pay approximately 28 million in the final two years, Jones may hit the market again at 29 years old and with potentially more salary cap money available to teams.
Jones is in a good situation with the Packers as they have a habit of not wearing down RBs with 350 carries a year. Nice to have Dillon to help wear down the defense and keep Jones fresh. Smart move by GB to not franchise Jones and instead work on a win-win solution.
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If Dillon picks up pass blocking and receiving nuances, the pack should have the best 1-2 punch at RB.
I’m almost in shock looking at Jones contract #’s.
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He needed Drew Rosenhaus to get that deal?….why?
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Howard has it right, 2 year 20 million. about damn near the same as franchising him twice.
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He couldn’t do better than 13 million guaranteed?
I thought the guaranteed money was an issue with his old agent.
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It’s a good deal for the Packers, especially the first year small cap number.
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If the Packers drafted a receiver or a corner instead of Dillon, i have no doubt that Williams would have been kept. As it turned out after all. The Packers had no reason to draft Dillon.
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Anyway, i’m happy to see Jones get somewhat compensated for that great two year run. Hopefully that continues with our changing O line.
Howard…i’d like to pick your brain concerning P. Smith, if i may.
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I made a post, and want to check with you to see if you agree with the points i made.
I value your opinion above anyone online and i want to do a self reflection “realty test” so to speak.
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You may agree with some, disagree with others, doesn’t matter, i value honesty.
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PF4L
March 15, 2021 at 08:09 am
Well dobber…according to PFF (grade-53.1), and my eye test, Preston wasn’t very valuable….at all.
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The Packers didn’t decide to keep Preston, he was kept because the Packers couldn’t find a trade partner and i guess they didn’t want to eat the 8 million in dead money (or admit a mistake).
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So they cut him a check for 6.5 million in new signing bonus money to reduce this years cap number and push money ahead to 2022 where he is due 12.5 million.
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I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility now that they lowered Smith’s salary in 2021, it might be easier to sit him and start Gary full time. Just speculation of course.
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So it looks like they might cut him a year from now, BUT…they have to eat 7.25 million in dead money next year. 7.25 mill…is pretty close to 8 million, amirite?
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As of today (right now), the Packers have paid Preston 33.5 million dollars for 16 sacks in 2 seasons (8 sacks a year average).
The word “VALUE” has no place when describing Preston Smith as of today.
I agree PF4L; Howard seems to understand the cap and it’s finer details. The more I try to comprehend all the details in ways to get around the cap- the more my head spins too.
That post was a response to someone else (down the hall) who seemed to think Preston Smith offered the Packers “value”.
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I’ve also read a comment from someone else (down the hall) who stated….that Preston Smith was a bargain….lol.
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That reminded me of the 2 or 3 Packer fans in here that called the Nick Perry signing…a bargain at the time.
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I just wanted Howards opinion on my speculations.
Lol, the same people who think Nick Perry and P.Smith are bargains are the same people who think that Rodgers is holding the team back with his contract and needs to take a pay cut so the front office can sign more “talent.”
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Let’s see, P.Smith has a PFF grade of 53.1, Perry is out of the league without even the interest of being a backup for a bottom barrel team, and Rodgers is the MVP of the entire NFL. Which man should be the one getting paid?
“Well Tom Brady takes pay cuts, why shouldn’t Rodgers!?” – dumbass
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Maybe it’s because, the Patriots knew what to do with the money and spent it wisely, dumbass.
Sorry PF4L. I was busy working on some contract items this week. I just saw this so I’m probably way late. Thank you to you and Mick.
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I think your correct in the 7.25 million dead cap hit next year. In addition the Packers could be paying out another 4.4 million in incentives next year if all of Smith’s added sack incentives are achieved. I think those incentives if achieved would be added to next years cap hit? So the Packers could actually be on the hook for 11.65 million next year even if Smith is cut.
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Everyone may be happy if Smith has a very good sack year (12-14) . If Smith does have a very good sack year it is going to cost the Packers. If Smith has an average sack year (6-10) it is still going to cost the Packers on next years salary cap.
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The one thing I’m not sure about is, will the NFL add the sack incentives when achieved to the salary cap total or the following year? Either way the sack incentives if achieved are going to add to Smith’s contract total.
I would think it has to be the following year, unless they are under the cap and can absorb it. Remember, it’s not just one player, it’s all players who have incentivized contracts.
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But then again…i’m guessing
In other NFL news, Drew Brees announces his retirement from the NFL. Kudos to a great career, great QB, man and father. An icon in NO. Saints fans will miss him!
I couldn’t agree more. Great career, man, and person.
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When i think of someone like Drew Bree’s, as a person, off the field, i think of Jordy Nelson.
Not exactly the same. But…just, good people.
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The NFL world should (will) miss him.
In the next 1,2,3 years, there will be an exodus of HOF QB’s. The NFL has lost Favre, Manning, now Bree’s. Soon enough they will lose Brady, Roethlisberger, Rodgers.
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That is an impressive list of HOF QB’s who played during the same time.
I say that because there are only about 26 QB’s in the HOF.
To have this many HOF QB’s all playing during the same time is incredible.
The big winner during all of this….is us, the fans.
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Like Aaron Rodgers and Favre….appreciate what you have/had.