Green Bay Packers 2015 Free Agency Tracker

Tracking all the happenings of the Green Bay Packers in 2015 free agency.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb—Chris Humphreys, USA TODAY Sports.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb—Chris Humphreys, USA TODAY Sports.

Tracking all the happenings of the Green Bay Packers during free agency in 2015:

 

Re-Signed

WR Randall Cobb (4 years, $40 million): The Packers retained their 24-year-old dynamo with a multi-year deal averaging $10 million, with a $13 million signing bonus. Cobb would have entered free agency as the most coveted receiver on the market but instead took less money to stay in Green Bay, where he retains his maximum long-term earnings value with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The four-year deal expires when Cobb is 28, giving him the opportunity to cash in with another big pay day four years down the road. 

QB Scott Tolzien (1 year, $1.2 million): The Packers showed a decent financial commitment to the quarterback they feel is the future backing up Aaron Rodgers. Mike McCarthy called Tolzien an “ascending player” at the scouting combine. He’s smart with an underrated arm, and Rodgers loves him in the quarterback room. The perfect combination in a No. 2. 

OT Bryan Bulaga (5 years, $33.75 million): Like Cobb, Bulaga signed before hitting the open market, taking less from the Packers than he could have commanded from an outside suitor. The deal confirmed the value in a playing for a winning franchise with organizational stability from top to bottom and a Hall of Fame quarterback under center. The Packers will now return all five starting offensive linemen from an offense that led the NFL in scoring last season. The group will enter 2015 as arguably the league’s top front five. 

DL Letroy Guion (1 year, $2.75 million)/DL B.J. Raji (1 year, $3.5 million): The money was higher than expected but it's hard to argue with bringing back two low-risk nose tackles. Guion was much better than expected in 2014 and Raji looked much more comfortable on the nose before his season-ending injury last August. At the very least, the two have eliminated the immediate need along the defensive line. Best case, the two form a solid rotation inside and aid in Green Bay's revival stopping the run. 

 

Lost

WR Jarrett Boykin (Panthers; TBA): Boykin's career in Green Bay was a mixed bag. It spanned an unlikely run to the 53-man roster in 2012, a breakout second season in which he posted two 100-yard receiving games, an offseason of never-ending praise from Mike McCarthy and an ugly crash back to Earth during a forgettable 2014 season. He's still limited athletically and needs to make every contested catch. He made none last season. Hopefully he bounces back in Carolina, where receiving talent is needed.

RB DuJuan Harris (Vikings; TBA): Another Mike McCarthy darling, Harris couldn't find the field as the team's third running back and failed miserably as the kick returner in 2014. Who knows how his Packers career would have ended up had he not messed up his knee last summer. He'll compete in a crowded (and yet undecided) backfield in Minnesota. 

CB Tramon Williams (Browns; 3 years, $21 million): The open market was very good to cornerbacks. The Packers reportedly offered Williams a two-year deal worth $8 million, but Cleveland trumped everyone with a three-year contact worth $7 million per season. Green Bay was never going to come close to matching such a deal. There's no faulting Williams for taking a big payday as a 32-year-old corner. The Packers must now replace a player that started all but one game since the 2010 season. Cornerback is arguably level with inside linebacker as the team's biggest draft need. 

CB Davon House (Jaguars; 4 years, $24.5 million): It’s a nice payday for House, a mostly situational player in Green Bay with a potentially bright future. The 25-year-old dealt with some injury and consistency issues over his four years with the Packers, but with a long(ish) frame and some decent tape in 2015, House leveraged a cornerback-lacking market into a significant deal. $10 million guaranteed is nothing short of a solid haul for a player with only two career interceptions. 

LB A.J. Hawk (Bengals; 2 years, $3.25 million): Cut by the Packers, Hawk returned home and joined the Bengals. HIs deal has only $500,000 in guaranteed money. Now an athletic liability, he’ll likely be a veteran backup for Cincinnati. 

LB Brad Jones (Eagles; 2 years, $2.85 million): A decently strong market developed for Jones, but he still only managed a deal equalling Hawk in guaranteed money ($500,000) and worth less in total value. He brings special teams value and depth to Philadelphia. 

WR Kevin Dorsey (Patriots; 1 year, $510,000): The Packers waived Dorsey after he caught one pass over three games in 2014. His year ended on injured reserve with a broken foot. The former seventh-round pick of Green Bay will attempt to catch on in New England. 

 

Signed 

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RFA Tenders

S Sean Richardson (Original round; $1.542 million): The 25-year-old safety played in all 16 games last season, tallying 25 tackles. He is an asset on special teams and a rotational-level player on defense. 

OT Don Barclay (Original round; $1.542 million): A 14-game starter for the Packers in 2013, Barclay blew out his knee in early August of last year and landed on injured reserve. He is still a super sub for the Green Bay offensive line, with an ability to play tackle and guard in a pinch. 

 

ERFA Tenders

S Chris Banjo ($585,000): The Packers promoted Banjo back to the 53-man roster last December. He played in all 16 games in 2013. His value comes on special teams. 

 

Unsigned

CB Jarrett Bush, QB Matt Flynn, FB John Kuhn, LB Jamari Lattimore

 

Zach Kruse contributes to Cheesehead TV. He is also the Lead Writer for the NFC North at Bleacher Report. You can reach him on Twitter @zachkruse2 or by email at [email protected].

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Comments (40)

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Denver's picture

March 14, 2015 at 12:57 pm

Signed
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Perhaps unintentional, but that cracked me up, Zach.

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Zach Kruse's picture

March 14, 2015 at 01:54 pm

It was done partially out of necessity but mostly for comedic value, to be honest

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DraftHobbyist's picture

March 14, 2015 at 05:51 pm

Everybody is talking about Raji coming back on a 1-year deal, and I think there is a good chance the deal would be another 1-year "prove it" deal. But I also see a lot of risk for Raji in a 1-year deal where if he had another bad year there might not be a team that wants him and he could be out of the NFL. If he goes on a prove it deal and succeeds, his value could blow up. So what do you think about the chances that the Packers try to get a bargain on maybe something like a 4-year $16M deal and hoping Raji turns it around?

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Evan's picture

March 14, 2015 at 08:11 pm

You have a funny definition of "bargain."

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HankScorpio's picture

March 14, 2015 at 09:30 pm

Raji is 4 years removed from being productive. He didn't play a snap last season. Why would anyone want to sign him for 4 yrs for even half of that $16 mil? He's not going to have any choice but to assume the risk of having to prove himself, IMO.

I would actually like to see him give that a go somewhere besides GB. I said the same thing last year and that wasn't how it worked out. So it seems that the Packer brass sees things differently. Or at least they did. I guess it remains to be seen what they are thinking now.

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DraftHobbyist's picture

March 14, 2015 at 10:50 pm

Because if Raji has a good year this year his stock could easily go up to $6, $7, or eve $8 million per year, and we would most likely lose him at that point. You could also make the contract so that it's possible to get out of, but punishes you a little bit to get out of it with the guaranteed money.

Think about it. Last year we signed him to a 1-year $4M deal. This year it might be 1-year $3M or something like that. This is really rock bottom value. So if we get him for 4 years $4M/year, that could end up being quite the bargain. You have to believe that he will succeed to do that deal, though, and I do believe in him.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

March 15, 2015 at 02:18 am

Never, ever, give Raji any big guaranteed money. He has the talent to dominate at NT, so let him prove it in GB and cash in somewhere else. I thought $4 million was too much for him last year, but was mollified by the $500K guarantee.

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HankScorpio's picture

March 16, 2015 at 10:55 am

I'm with Reynoldo on Raji. Never give him big money. He reminds me too much of Cletidus Hunt...a guy that clearly has the ability but appears to lack the motivation from my perspective.

If someone wants to pay him $6-$8 mil/yr, I say they should take the comp pick and move on.

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Allan Murphy's picture

March 14, 2015 at 12:59 pm

Do we need one and is there one out their that has something left ?

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balding_pastor's picture

March 14, 2015 at 01:19 pm

The longer he remains unsigned, the better chance GB can bring Tramon back at a team friendly price, that is, if they want him back at all.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

March 14, 2015 at 02:32 pm

LOL @ Greg Jennings

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4thand1's picture

March 14, 2015 at 04:08 pm

I wonder if Cobb is thinking, "man that could've been me in 2 years." Bet there's a house for sale in minny. Hope his sister is happy.

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Doug_In_Sandpoint's picture

March 14, 2015 at 03:22 pm

Jennings and Harvin battling it out for the people I'd least like to have be signed. But either would actually help us as players.

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Ibleedgreenmore's picture

March 14, 2015 at 06:01 pm

I missed Bush not being offered a contract, I think its time to move on.

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cuervo's picture

March 14, 2015 at 06:36 pm

We should all thank Greg Jennings for turning down Teds contract offer and signing for less in Mn. Think were we'd be if he hadn't, and if Raji had also signed the ridiculous contract the packers had on the table for him. I'm a Ted fan, but the Packers have been lucky with several players overvaluing themselves and saving the Packers millions.

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FITZCORE1252's picture

March 14, 2015 at 07:34 pm

I agree with that as far as Raji goes. But I'm pretty confident Jennings would've still been balling in GB these last two years... though, possibly not to a point to earn the money he was looking for.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

March 14, 2015 at 08:23 pm

I agree. Jennings is a damn good WR. Those of us who sees Adams as a future star also sees a bit of Jennings in him.

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MarkinMadison's picture

March 14, 2015 at 09:38 pm

Reminds me more of JJ. More potential to be a physical player. GJ was never that.

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4thand1's picture

March 14, 2015 at 11:08 pm

Some of the drops remind me of JJ.

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4thand1's picture

March 14, 2015 at 11:11 pm

Some of the drops remind me of JJ.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

March 14, 2015 at 11:55 pm

Route running, agility and quickness = Jennings

The only thing Adams mirrors from Jones is physicality.

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ben's picture

March 14, 2015 at 11:51 pm

Year after year after year after year after year.......NT, ILB, & FS have been glaring weakness for the GreenBay Packers.

2 of the greatest DL/NT of the last 20 years in Ngata and Suh were available this offseason. Another young stud 3-4 ILB was also available in Kiko Alonso.

Instead of addressing team weaknesses and improving them. The Packers are worse off than ever.

Cobbs a very good player. Bulaga is a good right tackle, but neither are great or ever will be. The Packer's are deep at WR & OL. There is also other options at both positions with many free agents and draft prospects at both WR and OL.

Ngata is the greatest NT to ever play the game. Suh maybe the greatest Dlineman to ever play the game. Kiko is a potential Hall-of-Famer. Not only are they great, any of them would have made a greater difference to the Packer's as an overall team than Cobb, Bulaga, or Peppers for that matter.

At this rate, this time next year i'll be telling you homers we're going on 12 years with the Lebron James of football, the best player to ever play the game, with only 1 championship to show for. And that 1 championship given to them by a terrific choke job by Ben Rothlisberger. The Packers should already be, or at the very least on the verge of being, a modern-day NFL dynasty.

If Aaron Rodgers wasn't dropped into TT's lap, Ted would have been run out of town a long time ago.

In Ted you trust. Congratulations to you and the 2015-16 NFC North Champs and NFC runner-ups.

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KenEllis's picture

March 14, 2015 at 11:43 pm

Green Bay is the only NFL team not to add anyone to their roster since the end of the 2014 season.

Julius Peppers is the only player on the current roster to have played for another NFL team.

The team has over $21,000,000 to spend under the salary cap.

There are needs at CB, DLine, possibly TE, and most certainly ILBer.

Can the draft fill all these needs?

We shall see, because TT does not make trades and only rarely dabbles in free agency.

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ben's picture

March 16, 2015 at 01:28 am

actually the Packers needs as of right now are: NT, NT, ILB, ILB, ILB, CB, TE, TE, RB, S, FB, QB,..........so....No, not with this draft class. But these 2 would be a good start.

1st Round: NT – Jordan Phillips

http://draftbreakdown.com/video/jordan-phillips-vs-clemson-2014/
http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/163788/dorial-green-beckham-...

4th Round: ILB - Ben Heeney
http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=120193&draftyear...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNi1LYn_1lM

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aj's picture

March 15, 2015 at 09:59 pm

Why are you such a sensationalist? Trust in the system. Ngata is not the best NT ever, and I'd be surprised if people thought Suh was better than Watt, let alone Reggie White and greats from yesteryear. We don't have great tackle depth, so retaining Bulaga was of the utmost importance, especially considering the line was possibly the best in the league and is still young. WR has depth because a player like Cobb pushes guys down the depth chart and keeps them from having to take on too large a role. Tramon will likely be back, making corner a developmental need, similar to NT. I'd expect Raji to be back giving us a season to groom a prospect for the position. Just relax man. The packers are in great position to win chips for the foreseeable future, just sit back and enjoy.

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ben's picture

March 15, 2015 at 10:15 pm

"Ngata isn't the best NT ever" ? name 1 better ever at that position. Please.

"you'd be surprised if Suh's better than Watt, let alone Reggie White"

let alone Reggie White?

well I'd be surprised if many people thought Aaron Rodgers was better than Tom Brady, let alone Joe Montana. ( I think your pretty much proving my point there)

We do have good tackle depth. Every homer here has been touting tretter for a couple years now (not me really) and he's played more tackle than anywhere else. Don Barclay is a good football player and has performed well since he was just a rookie. And I know this is a stretch for everybody but me, but Vujnovich is going to be a hell of a tackle in this league. (unlike Derrick Sharrod, who most homers on this blog probably still have high hopes for)

We're 5 deep at tackle right now heading into a draft weak at most positions other than OT. We have 1.5 ILBs on the team in a 3-4 scheme & ZERO NT's running a 3-4 scheme..........."so retaining Bulaga was"n't" of the UTMOST importance." just wasn't, 5 deep vs 0 deep

Abbrederis is heady just like Cobb was. They have the same mental and physical attributes. And same skill set at the same position. Janis is going to be a star in the league, and could be the best of all the Packer's WRs when everything is said and done. He's a freak and so far, a gamer. I'm not a huge fan of Adams, but you guys all are. To me he's a boykin clone. Oh then there's maybe the best WR in the league, Jordy Nelson..

Like I've said before; Jordy, Adams, Janis, Abbrederis, and Boykin are a good deep receiving core. 1-5 all better than James Jones ever was, not to mention potentially adding another WR in the draft. That my friend is depth at WR with or without Randall Cobb, if you have any faith in Janis or Abbrederis, which you do. Again 5 deep vs. 0 deep, 5 deep vs 1.5 deep. The zero and 1.5 being the weakest positions and Achilles heal of the GreenBay Packers for the Past decade.

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aj's picture

March 16, 2015 at 03:28 pm

Look man, I love the packers as much as anyone, but Tretter and Barclay are solid backups at tackle, with the potential for more if kicked inside. That's it. I don't know how you can compare the suh and white/watt comparisons with rodgers and the other qb's? And I'm not going to even get into the recievers argument. If you really think abby and cobb are the same player... smh...

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slit's picture

March 15, 2015 at 01:23 pm

Ben, how can you assume that Cobb will never be great, but in the same breathe, state that Kiko is a potential Hall-of-Famer? Please elaborate. While I think I understand what you're trying to do here, and I also would like Ted to dip into the free agency pool more often than he does, you need to do better.

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ben's picture

March 16, 2015 at 12:39 am

“Cobb is a very very good receiver. He maybe the most game-ready player I've ever seen step foot in the NFL straight from college. He looked like a 6 year veteran his rookie year. He's heady, he's versatile, he has great vision, he's fairly explosive, he has reliable hands, he is very competitive, and a real pro.

But he is also short and not very fast and can't jump.

As good as Cobb was as a rookie and as good as he is now, I feel he does have a ceiling of sorts. I think Jared Abbrederis has a good chance of being just as good. I also think Jeff Janis will be better. But honestly I probably would take back saying that Cobb, and Bulaga for that matter, will never be great. All they have to be is very good, and Aaron Rodgers will make them great. As Aaron Rodgers made an average receiver in James Jones good, and a good receiver in Greg Jenning, very good.

(I did think Kiko was a little more physically elite than he might be, just looked up his physical measurements) Kiko is a very good player much like Bulaga and Cobb at their respective positions, none being physically elite as let's say Dujuan Harris, but all having a chance to be great, all having a chance to be Hall of Famers. The main difference between the 3 being that Kiko plays a position of real need for the Packers, a position of weakness the past 5-10 years.

But a guy like Suh has the chance to be the best defensive player to ever play the game. And Ngata already is, and will be thru 2017, the best NT to ever play the game. And really my points and arguments have come from the perspective of the GreenBay Packers needing to address the same needs and team weaknesses they've had for a decade now. At a time where 2 of the greatest to ever play 1 of those critically important positions just happen to be 100% available.

(it's a No-Brainer, kind of like in 2005, when the packers had a 36 year old starting QB with no real backup or future starter at the position. The best player in the entire draft, who many like myself believed Aaron Rodgers to be, fell all the way into the Packer's lap toward the end of the 1st round. Another Absolute No-Brainer. Only this time, with Ngata and Suh, Ted actually No-Brained it.)

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4thand1's picture

March 16, 2015 at 12:09 am

When it comes to football IQ, I would say TT is Stephen Hawking and Ben is Matt Millen.

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ben's picture

March 16, 2015 at 01:09 am

then say it

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4thand1's picture

March 16, 2015 at 07:19 am

Stick around ben, at least you make the offseason interesting. Next I see you predicting the Packers to go 8-8.

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Doug_In_Sandpoint's picture

March 14, 2015 at 11:39 pm

Ben, I almost never say this about anyone sho isn't of the bovine persuasion but you are a total tool.

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ben's picture

March 16, 2015 at 01:16 am

ah....

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ben's picture

March 16, 2015 at 01:15 am

is that an attempt at humor? is that what they say in sandpoint to really stick it to you?

Thanks for playing doug w/ nopoint.

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NewNikeShoes's picture

March 16, 2015 at 04:46 pm

Name calling isn't helping your stock bro.

Maybe if you were open to suggestions, and or explaining your points with actual facts or game, you wouldn't be laughed at

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DrealynWilliams's picture

March 15, 2015 at 07:06 pm

On Cobb coming back,

"Randall Cobb is a prime example. I know for a fact -- I'm pretty tied in with his situation -- he left a lot of money on the table," Brandt said. "And I knew it was going to be hard to pry him away from Green Bay. It's a system he liked; he knows he's playing with the best quarterback."

Ohhhhhhh, I love it.

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4thand1's picture

March 16, 2015 at 07:30 am

The Packers have made the best moves of any team so far. They kept the o-line in tact which is HUGE. Keeping Rodgers on the field is the #1 priority. Without him forget it. They sent packing all the dead weight that cost them last year. They are addressing ST's and the ILBer postion. All they need is one more guy in the middle and I think they will find him. They were an onside kick way from winning the SB IMO. They still have 20+ million and are already better than last year. R-E-L-A-X.

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Amanofthenorth's picture

March 16, 2015 at 07:52 am

Amen. Time to think Crew.

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Tom Legener's picture

March 16, 2015 at 12:35 pm

Wow. Is this Ben the new Cow?

Ngata and Suh to Canton? If you say so dude.

I'm tickled with the offseason. Lions lost HOFer for sure Suh. Vikeys cut Jennings and will lose Purple Jesus. Bears lose Marshall and KEEP Cutler! We cut all our goats from the playoffs and sign Cobb & Bulaga.

In Ted We Trust.

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