And will solve all the Green Bay Packers problems! C’mon, we know that’s what you were thinking. The day has finally arrived — Johnny Jolly and his Purple Drank have been reinstated by the NFL.
The move was made quietly on Monday. Where to even begin?
This is as good a place as any…
Jolly last played for the Packers in the 2009, when he turned in his finest pro season (39 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT, 1 FF). And then… it all went to shit.
Jolly was arrested for codeine possession, arrested again for the same thing and then, finally, arrested again for drug possession and tampering with evidence. It was this final arrest that actually sent Jolly to the clink. Somewhere in there he got suspended indefinitely by the NFL.
Then the redemption tour began [cue theme from Rocky]. Jolly beat his addiction, got out of jail, applied for reinstatement to the NFL and, obviously, finally made it back.
Somehow, the Packers still hold Jolly’s rights. In 2010, they tendered him a restricted free agent offer and then he got suspended. That offer was for $2.5 million. It’s not clear how this will work out financially or if the Packers even want Jolly back (although there was a lot of talk about “support” from the coaching staff three years ago).
What we do know is Jolly will count against the Packers salary cap one way or another.
Jolly is currently 30.
This could work out, right?