Packers Finally Embrace Free Agency, but It May Be Too Late to Save Rodgers Era
From 2009 through 2016, the Packers had the best quarterback in the NFC—if not the whole NFL—and a permanent Do Not Disturb sign on their hotel room door during free agency.
The Packers won a Super Bowl early in that era. They went 15-1 and 12-4 in other seasons. Aaron Rodgers won MVP awards. Former general manager and free-agency conscientious objector Ted Thompson plucked some plums in the late rounds of the draft and from other team's practice squads to keep the Packers in the playoffs year after year. Those were some good times.
But as the years wore on and Super Bowl seasons became 10-6, road-playoff-loss seasons, it became clear that the Packers squandered some championship opportunities by going ice fishing every year instead of manning the phones during the free-agency period. And when Rodgers got hurt in 2017, it became obvious just how little talent was left on the roster.
In the 48-hour "tampering period" which marks the de facto start of NFL free agency, the Packers have signed more significant free agents than they signed in the last seven years of Thompson's tenure combined:
- Former Ravens edge-rusher Za'Darius Smith: 26 years old, 8.5 sacks last season, four years and a reported $66 million
- Former Redskins edge-rusher Preston Smith: 26, 4.0 sacks last season, 8.0 sacks in 2017, four years and $52 million
- Former Bears safety Adrian Amos: 25, versatile enough to play a variety of roles in the secondary, four years and $37 million
- Former Broncos offensive lineman Billy Turner: 27, a multi-position sub, four years and $28 million
The moves also make good football sense: Two edge-rushers (who are also sturdy run defenders) can have much more impact than one, Amos fills a need at a reasonable price, and Turner provides veteran insurance against the $134 million quarterback getting creamed.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2825459-packers-finally-embrace-free-agency-but-it-may-be-too-late-to-save-rodgers-era?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
It wouldnt hurt my feelings if Erin never won another game.
No, no, no, any team w/ ARod on it is an instant SuperBowl contender, ala 2018...! ;) B)
They dipped their toe in more than usual last year and it worked out poorly.
Love how the media thinks signing free agents is the magic potion. The history of NFL free agency has shown that to be rarely the case.
These Edge Rush signings give Gutekunst a lot of flex this draft. And I think they have 2 #1 picks this year? This is the time to improve that roster to make some kind of run while Rogers is there.
Don't know how much they closed the ranks vs Bears???
@"StickyBun" said: They dipped their toe in more than usual last year and it worked out poorly.Love how the media thinks signing free agents is the magic potion. The history of NFL free agency has shown that to be rarely the case.
And their 14 DBs they drafted were all gonna be stars as soon as they stepped on the fabled grass of Lambeau.
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