That was interesting. Funchess, a wide receiver that played for Michigan and was drafted in the second round by the Panthers in 2015, has not had much of an impact on the Packers.
Back in April of 2020, Funchess was added to the roster to bolster the relatively weak WR pool for Green Bay, but he opted to sit last season out due to COVID — which was a right afforded to him via a player’s agreement.
This was the original post by Funchess announcing that he would miss the 2020 season:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDM3i0ChHqLu5aZwCYSyPi8TOcjeqfaqyezM9g0/?igshid=b886hdkl80yb
Then, this week, the Packers placed Funchess on the Injured Reserve — an indication that he would also be missing this entire season. This was due to an injury to his hamstring during a joint Packers/Jets practice.
Now, as expected, it is out that an injury settlement has been made and he will be released from the team. Earlier in the month, Funchess was briefly in the spotlight for a using a slur, but that seemed to pass quickly and there was not any sort of disciplinary action mentioned by the team. Here was their statement on the issue:
We’ve addressed it with Devin. He knows it’s unacceptable. I do think he’s sincerely remorseful and will hopefully learn from this. He will, and hopefully our team can learn from this and we’ll move forward. I do want to say that is something that is not condoned and it doesn’t live up to what we believe here with the Green Bay Packers.
He did catch six passes in the preseason opener, but other than that, his contribution to the team is almost nonexistent. Unfortunately, this one goes on the Gutekunst Administration Blunder List. As usual, hindsight is 20/20.
These WRs will now be who Rodgers will have eyes on this season:
Davante Adams
Allen Lazard
MVS
Randall Cobb