2020 Free Agency Thread

@Koopla Krash posted:

2021 Salary Cap

The big jump in the 2021 cap allocation is AR12 (+15M).  Kenny Clark's cap allocation jumps big in 2022 (+13.5M).  Davante Adams is a FA in 2022.  Biggest targets for restructure/cut in 2021:

* Preston Smith (save 8M, leaves 8M in dead cap),  Christian Kirksey (save 6M, leaves 2M in dead cap),  Rick Wagner (save 4.2 M, leaves 1.8M in dead cap), and Dean Lowry (save 3.3M, leaves 3M in dead cap).

For reference, this does not count Aaron Jones, Corey Linsley, Kevin King, Jamaal Williams, or Tyler Lancaster whom are all free agents.

They would save 5 million by trading Rodgers (36 million if he's on the team and 31 million in dead cap if he's not). I hope this isn't the plan, but the fact that it's even in my mind is amazing.

D. Adams is looking at one of the biggest WR contract in history in 2022. If they let him go, we'd be looking at Jordan Love throwing to MVS, ESB, Lazard, and some young WRs. That scenario would make the late 70s/early 80s look good in comparison.

@Koopla Krash posted:

2021 Salary Cap

The big jump in the 2021 cap allocation is AR12 (+15M).  Kenny Clark's cap allocation jumps big in 2022 (+13.5M).  Davante Adams is a FA in 2022.  Biggest targets for restructure/cut in 2021:

* Preston Smith (save 8M, leaves 8M in dead cap),  Christian Kirksey (save 6M, leaves 2M in dead cap),  Rick Wagner (save 4.2 M, leaves 1.8M in dead cap), and Dean Lowry (save 3.3M, leaves 3M in dead cap).

For reference, this does not count Aaron Jones, Corey Linsley, Kevin King, Jamaal Williams, or Tyler Lancaster whom are all free agents.

Gotta figure out a way to keep Jones. The other FAs can be replaced with what is already under contract for 2021 or with draft picks, UDFAs.

I will not be surprised if they restructure Rodgers and extend it a year (or 2) to get cap relief. Don't GAF about the Love pick or impact, that's water over the burnt bridge already. Doesn't look like Rodgers is close to the end, and his acceptance/adjustment to the MiLf offense will make it extremely hard to move on from him for another 3-4 years.

Last season, Aaron Rodgers was pressured at a rate of 34.5% - 16th in NFL. 55 QB Hits

In 2020, Rodgers is only pressured at a rate of 23.7% - 3rd in NFL. 16 QB Hits

Playing on-time, in structure, from pocket (mostly) keeps the QB out of harms way - can play forever like this!

— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) November 19, 2020

Aaron Rodgers Inside the 30... 21 TDs, 0 INTs.

123.4 QB Rating - Leads NFL.
71.4% Completions - Leads NFL.

— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) November 16, 2020

They can squeeze some relief out of AR and ZSmith contracts, probably at least enough to get back under the cap if we’re indeed that far over. Cutting PSmith, Wagner or Turner, Kirksey, and maybe even Amos honestly gets us to a place to 1) sign a rookie class, re-sign one of our key UFAs, and maybe a mid-priced DL vet. There’s going to be A LOT of creative accounting going on this off-season, Rusty Ball(s) needs to earn his keep. Maybe the league starts banking on the cap correcting itself in ‘22 and backloading the fuck out of contracts...essentially giving few guarantees in ‘21 to keep the cap low, but guaranteeing salary and bonuses more in line with true value for years beyond? That really complicates negotiations and puts both sides in precarious positions, but honestly the only other solution is teams cutting big contracts, increasing supply/lowering demand, and reducing the value of FA contracts. Fans get a watered down product.

The #Packers and #Ravens both tried today to sign DT Snacks Harrison off Seattle's practice squad, I'm told. Instead, Snacks -- who was out of elevations -- officially signed to the #Seahawks active roster and now will go try to get a ring.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 23, 2020

@H5 posted:

Last season, Aaron Rodgers was pressured at a rate of 34.5% - 16th in NFL. 55 QB Hits

In 2020, Rodgers is only pressured at a rate of 23.7% - 3rd in NFL. 16 QB Hits

Playing on-time, in structure, from pocket (mostly) keeps the QB out of harms way - can play forever like this!

— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) November 19, 2020

Aaron Rodgers Inside the 30... 21 TDs, 0 INTs.

123.4 QB Rating - Leads NFL.
71.4% Completions - Leads NFL.

— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) November 16, 2020

Go figure. Rodgers is at 70% completion inside the 30 and we get 2 incompletes when a TD wins it!  

There will be a special one time covid rejiggering of the NFL cap this off-season.  Nobody knows how that will resolve itself.

Kenny Stills being released by the Texans.  Might be worth a look.

Would be worth it just to have Crosby and Stills together. And we have Jamaal Williams from Brigham Young.

@PackerHawk posted:

Would be worth it just to have Crosby and Stills together. And we have Jamaal Williams from Brigham Young.

Maybe Steve Nash could show up to sell concessions to the cardboard cut-outs!

How about Kevin Nash?

@Packy posted:

Kenny Stills being released by the Texans.  Might be worth a look.

Doesn't play ILB. Wouldn't replace Preston.

Packers O averaging 31 ppg. Offense is not the problem.

@H5 posted:

Doesn't play ILB. Wouldn't replace Preston.

Packers O averaging 31 ppg. Offense is not the problem.

As evidenced all year by guys on offense missing games. Adams out, just spread the ball around. Jones out, split time between Jamaal and whoever. The offense has functioned well for a good portion of the year while missing key guys. It ceases functioning to the same level when the sorry defense puts undue pressure on the offense to carry the whole team. Another wr target might help, but finding some type of answer on defense would guarantee less pressure on the offense. Go rent a Grady Jackson or Howard Green and see if there's a difference. What exactly does Gute have to gain by sitting on his hands on this? Or lose by having a handful of workouts?

Stills if healthy would provide depth and maybe more.  But, if we're talking CSN&Y, you have to add Chase Young.   

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/...ly-waived-by-texans/

@RapSheet: The #Lions have fired coach Matt Patricia and GM Bob Quinn.

Well, they’re free agents now...

More from Rapaport:

“#Lions OC Darrell Bevell is the interim coach, source said.”

They could actually sign players on both sides of the ball. Wherever the talent is, bring them in for a look. I like the idea of Tavon Austin for ST, get Sheppard the hell out of here. Not sure if there is room for Stills with Lazard back. If they want an expensive guy that doesn’t necessarily move the needle much, they could take a risk. Stills is no Fuller, obviously, so you’d be talking WR 3/4. Who are the defensive free agents we should sign? I’m honestly asking, because I’m not sure what guys are available that’d add value.

Tavon austin?

https://packerswire.usatoday.c...ampaign=pos2headline

Obviously Stills and Austin are upgrades over Shepherd and Taylor.   Why do we never make these moves?

@BrainDed posted:

Obviously Stills and Austin are upgrades over Shepherd and Taylor.   Why do we never make these moves?

'cause they can pay Shepherd and Taylor in change.

@BrainDed posted:

Obviously Stills and Austin are upgrades over Shepherd and Taylor.   Why do we never make these moves?

Did one of these guys end up somewhere else? Gotta think they have had enough of Shepard so if Austin has a good workout and interview they probably sign him.

Can't believe Shepard is even on the roster after last week.  

He showed us what he was last year.

The #Packers are signing veteran WR Tavon Austin, source says. Was with the #Rams when Matt LaFleur (pronounced La-Flew-er, @TomPelissero) was there.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 30, 2020

Interesting signing. Now will they actually use him?

Think he'll likely play the same role that Ervin has (when healthy).

Return guy first and foremost I'd wager...

If we can't stop anyone on D, we'd better outscore them.

I can confirm @MikeGarafolo report that FA WR Tavon Austin is signing with the #Packers. He will be eligible to practice Wednesday.

— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) November 30, 2020

MLF refused comment because nothing official.

Former Texans WR Kenny Stills cleared waivers and is now officially a free agent.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 30, 2020

@BrainDed posted:

Obviously Stills and Austin are upgrades over Shepherd and Taylor.   Why do we never make these moves?

Could you repeat this?

Wonder if Austin can still run the jet sweep? He wasn't really used that way in DallASS but had over 1,200 yards rushing as a Ram.

I hope Austin is good for another 20 points a game. The best defense is offense.

From 2019, if he resembles anything like this on jet sweeps and returns, that would certainly be an improvement over Sheppard.

Anything is an improvement over Shepard. 

@packerboi posted:

From 2019, if he resembles anything like this on jet sweeps and returns, that would certainly be an improvement over Sheppard.

The guy touched the ball 19 times in 14 games. I think this highlight reel is his entire season.

He can come in and return punts and kicks right away.    I imagine after a week or so he could see some snaps in Ervings role.    Not much of a recieving threat, body catcher, but you have to respect the run threat on the jet motions.

Nice job Gute.     Expect to hear that Shepherd has been released soon.

Perhaps ESB's showing last night makes them feel more comfortable with having him as the #4 WR and thus more freedom to part with Shephard?

#1 - Adams
#2 - Lazard
Burner #3/4 - MVS
Possession #3/4 - ESB
Scat / Gadget - Erving and Austin

Feels better than last week.

Don't forget, Mennenga's All-Stars are the ones opening holes for him.

If Rush can plug the middle for a few snaps and Austin at least supplants Shepherd as WR #6 and the KR, it will have been a stellar couple of days for Gutey ... especially with the Will Fuller suspension breaking today.

Packers trade target WR Will Fuller suspended 6 games for PED.

The Packers dodged a huge bullet.

Can you imagine if the Packers coughed up a 2nd round pick for this to happen??

It’s been a career year for #Texans WR Will Fuller — 53 catches for 879 yards. He was slated to cash in during free agency. Things just got complicated. https://t.co/quI73om7Fq

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 30, 2020

@PackerHawk posted:

The guy touched the ball 19 times in 14 games. I think this highlight reel is his entire season.

To be fair, he was behind a log jam of talent at WR there. And in 2020 after drafting Lamb, that sealed his fate.