Randall Cobb "Would Definitely Love" a Long-Term Deal with the Packers
Cobb told the NFL Network on Tuesday that he hasn't been in talks with the Packers about a contract extension.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb expressed his desire to ink a long-term deal with the Green Bay Packers during an appearance Tuesday at the NFL Network.
"I would definitely love that," Cobb is quoted as saying at NFL.com. "But unfortunately that won't be my decision. That will be on the team to come to me with that decision."
"I would love to get it out the way and not to have to worry about any of the conversations or answering any questions during the season that would take away from what we're trying to do as a football team."
Cobb is still on his rookie contract, set to expire after the 2014 season.
According to NFL rules, players cannot sign contract extensions until after their third year in the NFL, so presumably, Cobb couldn't sign any extension until the new league year begins on March 11.
For what it's worth, Cobb said he hasn't been in discussion with the Packers about any such extension.
"Not that I know of," Cobb said. "My agent hasn't mentioned it to me, so I don't know if there's been any talks."
Where Cobb stands on the Packers' priority list is anyone's guess. Fellow wide receiver Jordy Nelson also has a contract expiring after 2014, but both of them may have to wait until the Packers deal with the current class of free agents.
The Packers have 20 players set to become free agents on March 11, 17 of them unrestricted. And that's not counting any free agents the Packers may court from other teams.
By signing Cobb to an extension before his current deal expires, they'll hope to save some money by not allowing him to reach the open market. The Packers are estimated to be nearly $29 million under the salary cap entering the 2014 season.
In 2013, Cobb came back from a broken leg suffered mid-season to catch the fourth quarter touchdown pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers against the Chicago Bears in the season finale that helped the Packers win the NFC North division title and qualify for a spot in the playoffs.
Because of the injury, Cobb only caught 31 passes for 433 yards and four touchdowns on the season but is still considered one of the NFL's best multi-threat players that can also return kicks and occasionally line up at running back.
How much Cobb will be used on special teams moving forward is similarly open for debate, a debate that's not new. Last offseason, the Packers went through a similar situation, looking for a player to take the burden off Cobb and allow him to focus more on offense.
Comments (29)
February 18, 2014 at 08:43 pm
One of only a handful of players that are absolutely must haves. Rodgers, Lacy, Nelson, Cobb, Mathews, Heyward, Hyde, Sitton and maybe Shields if the price is right.
February 19, 2014 at 06:24 am
Agreed with all those. In these days of the salary cap, EVERY team needs to take that approach!
February 19, 2014 at 04:13 pm
Not so sure I agree that Hyde is a Must Have at this point. He seems like a solid player and I hope they have him for a long time, but he has a lot to prove still.
Evan
February 18, 2014 at 09:14 pm
I don't know why I kept thinking they had another year till they could renegotiate Cobb. Doing it this off-season would certainly behoove the Packers.
February 19, 2014 at 06:25 am
Good use of the word 'behoove'; I think it was a "prudent" choice.
February 19, 2014 at 01:58 am
Gun-to-your-head...
Cobb or Nelson for let's say the next four years. I know, we all want both, but if you had to choose, who would it be?
February 19, 2014 at 02:00 am
My bet is the masses lean towards Cobb, with good reason. Right now, I'm leaning Jordy... with no conviction.
February 19, 2014 at 07:34 am
I would go Jordy too as he has proven he can stay healthy and that he is incredibly reliable.
February 19, 2014 at 06:10 pm
Nelson was healthy this year, but he had hammy issues throughout 2012
February 19, 2014 at 07:37 am
That is a tough call and a very good question. Love what Cobb does for the Packers but if you leave him off of special teams to avoid injury (irony check), you've limited his positives.
I would choose Jordy hands down. I personally believe he is one of the best receivers in the league.
February 19, 2014 at 07:41 pm
I would definitely take Jordy over Cobb. Jordy is in the mold of an Andre Johnson, Cobb of a Welker. Both have their positives, but the Andre Johnson's/Jordy Nelson's are more difficult to come by and do more for the offense IMO. If Cobb were still doing returns, that would help tilt it toward his favor more, but would still take Nelson. I understand the reasoning for not using Cobb on returns, but I think he should still be doing them. I don't agree w/ taking him off returns. Can't play afraid of having injuries, gotta put playmakers in position to make plays. Cobb not doing returns takes him out of a playmaking role and Hyde isn't Cobb!
February 19, 2014 at 10:38 pm
Randall Nelson, I mean Jordy Cobb, I mean...Why are you putting a gun to our heads you cantankerous sumbitch?
Cobb-he's younger, by 5 years.
February 19, 2014 at 06:29 am
He better find a way to keep both. We don't want to sacrifice some of the Rodgers window having him develop chemistry with new guys. Only silver lining to having mediocre talent, aside from a select few is you don't have to pay them. Thats unless you're TT and throw $8 million at guys like BJ. Save it for a few reasonably priced impact FA's and the must haves
February 19, 2014 at 07:41 am
Ever notice that when we play the really good teams our receivers can't seem to get open?
February 19, 2014 at 07:55 am
John, that was BL (Before Lacy). You have to thank the Lions for Cobb, they took that idiot Titus Young right before we took Cobb. Nelson is the most under rated WR in the game (I believe he and Rodgers like it like that) and Cobb has as much potential as any young WR in the league - both will be extended.
February 19, 2014 at 10:39 pm
That's called confirmation bias, John the Fisherman.
February 19, 2014 at 07:57 am
No John, I didn't notice that
February 19, 2014 at 09:44 am
I really hope they don't jack around and get him extended before the season starts.
February 19, 2014 at 09:49 am
I want to see both Cobb and Nelson get extended. Both have become very valuable players on the offense.
Its crazy to me that so many people still don't consider Nelson Elite, but he is an Elite WR in this league. Very underrated.
February 19, 2014 at 10:40 pm
Yep, he's been elite since '11-people walkin' around with there eyes wide shut.
Evan
February 19, 2014 at 11:00 am
I'd put some money on Cobb getting extended this off-season and Nelson during the season.
February 19, 2014 at 01:44 pm
Nelson and Cobb are two different kinds of receivers. Trying to compare value is a fruitless endeavor. We need to re-sign both of them. And I believe we will. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your position), I believe it means that James Jones will be let go and replaced by some younger legs.
I expect TT to draft a WR relatively high (3rd or 4th round) this year.
Evan
February 19, 2014 at 02:06 pm
100%
On BR, Nagler suggested/predicted that James Jones will go to the Seahawks. I sure hope that doesn't happen.
Evan
February 19, 2014 at 02:31 pm
Off-Topic: Nice piece on MMQB about Finley's recovery.
http://mmqb.si.com/2014/02/19/jermichael-finley-injury-rehab/
I didn't know that the Steelers team neurosurgeon performed his surgery - I had assumed it was some independent doctor. Getting clearance from him carries more weight than I originally thought.
February 19, 2014 at 03:02 pm
"carries more weight"
Or less weight. I'm not sure that the very best MDs end up employed by NFL teams. The NFL is in the midst of great medical controversy (esp. concussions) & most team MDs are silent. (It's called CYA to keep your job)
February 19, 2014 at 02:52 pm
Let JJ go & resign both Nelson & Cobb. People need to do the math. The only way both Nelson & Cobb wear the G&G for the next 3-4 years is if both sign reduced contracts. Nelson has been playing for peanuts for years & Cobb isn't about to start playing for peanuts just because it's the Packers.
That's life when your QB & OLB are playing with mega-contracts.
February 19, 2014 at 11:31 pm
Jordy seems to have been perfectly happy playing under his current contract. He'll come back for a number both sides can live with. He knows that retiring as a Packer with the career he will have had has value for life.
February 19, 2014 at 04:05 pm
Id choose Cobb over Nelson if I was forced to make a choice because hes younger but that would be a really tough call to make.
Glad I don't have to. I imagine Nelson will be watching to see what the market looks like this year before entertaining any offers. Hopefully Cobb doesn't try to land a contract like the one Seattle gave to Harvin this season. That would suck.
February 19, 2014 at 11:21 pm
Nelson Cobb Boykin Rookie WR Rookie TE. Bye JJ. BYE FINLEY. I would love Byrd from FA and a high drafted safety. Maybe add a MLB in FA too. And try House at Safety too. We need as much depth as possible.