2025 Roster - Semi Live Thread

[Pokerbrat2000]

Had GB waited on Love's deal they more than likely would've needed to eclipse Prescott's $60mil/yr average costing at least $5mil/yr more.

Would Love have felt "disrespected" & not rushed back after his game-1 knee injury? Would Willis, then, have helped GB beat LAR & possibly AZ? GB wouldn't have made the playoffs with 1 more loss.

Hard to answer those questions definitively, but Gute didn't want to find out.

Personally, I think the Cowboys overpaid for Zak, but it was also based on all of his seasons as QB, not just one. Had it been based strictly off his 2024 season, he makes half that at best. Love was paid strictly off of 1 year of starting and his perceived potential.

So Love's lets say Love's contract cost $5M more per year, had the Packers waited. A few things. They would have had him under contract an extra year. They would have paid him $35M less in 2024. Most importantly, they would have had 2 seasons of work to look at. Honestly, my jury is still out on Love. I HOPE he is THE guy, but had the Packers locked him in at Dak Prescott type numbers in January, I wouldn't have been happy.

As far as what Love would have or wouldn't have done due to his injuries, nobody knows. One might make the argument that he plays better in 2024, because a new contract is riding on it.

Bottom line for me. I want players hungry, I want them playing for a new contract and I want that contract to reflect, as best that it can, the most recent data of a players final year, under his old contract. This is especially important with 2nd contracts. Seems that teams can often way overpay on a 2nd contract, in hopes that the player is still developing.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

On the surface that would be correct

However, GB is fully prepared to walk away from J’aire and it has actually been reported to do so through a trade offer. You said so yourself his Sunk is Sunk remember?
Which was actually nothing truer said.
So really theoretically we’re not deciding how much we can save (that’s a side show to sweeten a future deal) The meat of this dilemma is much more about if we should sink more $$ into his services going forward. We are NOT committed past his sunk nor are we negotiating his Sunk. Sunk is Sunk

What on paper is immaterial if it’s not guaranteed. He could have a $100Bil contract and if none is guaranteed? it’s a zero deal. If that makes sense. The $27.5 next year is totally optional we’re not saving anything, we’re deciding on a new contract… or not

Now. Can we trim a few million here and there? Yes. Will it cost us tens of millions? Yes. Two different ways of saying the same think my Poker friend!

I was talking about new contracts, specifically with Zach Tom. A new contract with that caliber of a player is going to include a ton of guaranteed money, as well as a high per year price tag. More importantly, they have Tom under contract for 1 more season, at a little over $3M/year.

You are correct, Jaire's situation isn't really contractual at all, since the Packers can cut bait at anytime between now and the final roster date, and not be out any more money. The only way his situation becomes contractual is if a new one gets put on the table (or he is on the 53 man roster). Now if THAT happened, how would you or I feel about a ton of guaranteed money in a new contract with Jaire? Me? I would say Gute and Ball are absolutely nuts, even if the yearly salary was $15M. The Packers have the distinct advantage with Jaire's contract right now, because there are no guarantees left. Where they loose that advantage is if they only think in terms of "well we already have this much sunk into the guy, so lets play it out." Instead, they need to look at what they potentially will get from Jaire with new money spent. If the prediction is "his skills make him a good risk", then keep him. If they think the amount of money isn't worth the risk and they can get his production from someone else, at a lower cost, he's gone.

I also want to be clear, I won't be upset if they do nothing with Jaire and he's on the 2025 roster. However, I would much rather see a new contract worked out, low guaranteed money and a yearly salary reflective of his skill, but also of his past availability. Both parties can hedge their side, with some incentives mixed in.

 

[OldSchool101]

I was talking about new contracts, specifically with Zach Tom. A new contract with that caliber of a player is going to include a ton of guaranteed money, as well as a high per year price tag. More importantly, they have Tom under contract for 1 more season, at a little over $3M/year.

You are correct, Jaire's situation isn't really contractual at all, since the Packers can cut bait at anytime between now and the final roster date, and not be out any more money. The only way his situation becomes contractual is if a new one gets put on the table (or he is on the 53 man roster). Now if THAT happened, how would you or I feel about a ton of guaranteed money in a new contract with Jaire? Me? I would say Gute and Ball are absolutely nuts, even if the yearly salary was $15M. The Packers have the distinct advantage with Jaire's contract right now, because there are no guarantees left. Where they loose that advantage is if they only think in terms of "well we already have this much sunk into the guy, so lets play it out." Instead, they need to look at what they potentially will get from Jaire with new money spent. If the prediction is "his skills make him a good risk", then keep him. If they think the amount of money isn't worth the risk and they can get his production from someone else, at a lower cost, he's gone.

I also want to be clear, I won't be upset if they do nothing with Jaire and he's on the 2025 roster. However, I would much rather see a new contract worked out, low guaranteed money and a yearly salary reflective of his skill, but also of his past availability. Both parties can hedge their side, with some incentives mixed in.

I’m in total agreement. J’aire gives us the best immediate success at CB and it’s gamble worth pursuing. I’m not suggesting massive guaranteed, but maybe a restructure adding a year and some modest guaranteed to keep him here an extra season (contract out +1yr)

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I’m in total agreement. J’aire gives us the best immediate success at CB and it’s gamble worth pursuing. I’m not suggesting massive guaranteed, but maybe a restructure adding a year and some modest guaranteed to keep him here an extra season (contract out +1yr)

It's hard to give up on a player like Jaire. When healthy, he's a very good CB. Is he injury prone? Well, maybe, but unlike Kevin King, he offers you an opportunity to field a very good CB, but one you should probably expect to miss some games.

I actually looked up his injury history just now. Pretty surprised at the number of injuries he has suffered (11) and as a result of them, in 8 seasons, has missed 32 games.

https://www.draftsharks.com/fantasy/injury-history/jaire-alexander/10019

 

[SudsMcBucky]

So Love's lets say Love's contract cost $5M more per year, had the Packers waited. A few things. They would have had him under contract an extra year. They would have paid him $35M less in 2024. Most importantly, they would have had 2 seasons of work to look at. Honestly, my jury is still out on Love. I HOPE he is THE guy, but had the Packers locked him in at Dak Prescott type numbers in January, I wouldn't have been happy.

This is not correct. The new contract just added years to the end of the EXISTING contract. Not only did it not replace the 5th year of Jordan's original deal, it COULDN'T. IIRC, since he signed that negotiated 5th year at the end of his rookie deal, that year wasn't allowed to be negated on the new deal. So, he played his normal 5th year of his rookie contract and his new big deal started AFTER that was over.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

This is not correct. The new contract just added years to the end of the EXISTING contract. Not only did it not replace the 5th year of Jordan's original deal, it COULDN'T. IIRC, since he signed that negotiated 5th year at the end of his rookie deal, that year wasn't allowed to be negated on the new deal. So, he played his normal 5th year of his rookie contract and his new big deal started AFTER that was over.

I stand corrected, you are correct, Love did play under the financial terms of that 5th year. That said, he was basically playing under a new contract, that the Packers had financially committed to him BEFORE (July 26, 2024) that final and 5th season. I believe he would have also been paid the $75M signing bonus at that time.

So my bad, the Packers still "enjoyed" the cheaper price tag last season, but contractually committed to the new 4 year deal prior to his 5th season.

That said, my position still doesn't change, I would have preferred that the Packers waited until after that 5th year to sign a new deal with Love.

 

[OldSchool101]

I actually looked up his injury history just now. Pretty surprised at the number of injuries he has suffered (11) and as a result of them, in 8 seasons, has missed 32 games.

https://www.draftsharks.com/fantasy/injury-history/jaire-alexander/10019

Ok.
Shoulder held him out 19 games (basically a full season+)

Next were groin issues (7 games)

Then knee issues (4-5 games)

A broken finger, short term hand injury

Concussion was very last, which is good.

In a way it’s not good, but it’s really the Shoulder that was 50% of his missed time. Nothing else looked too concerning, maybe groin but that can be addressed with better stretching and warming up.

I think it’s safe to say we need to do whatever possible to mitigate shoulder injuries. I remember his trying to 1-1 Naji Harris I think it was?

That idea about holding him out on 1st downs (when possible) actually is not a bad idea. At least earlier in the season. Then once we’re in (if) postseason maybe open him up? Just my thoughts.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

That idea about holding him out on 1st downs (when possible) actually is not a bad idea. At least earlier in the season. Then once we’re in (if) postseason maybe open him up? Just my thoughts.

If the Packers training staff determine that it would be beneficial for Jaire to see less snaps, I would prefer seeing him put on the game day inactive list (90 minutes b4 kickoff), on any given week. Possibly against a weaker opponent. This accomplishes a few things. It gives him a full game rest/exposure to injury. It also gives the Packers the leeway for him to go light in practices the week before those targeted games. It keeps the other team guessing as to if he will play or not. Finally, I think it would get a bit confusing for the DC to constantly have to figure out if he is going to come in for a few plays or sit some out.

Honestly, I would rather they just play him and not make a big deal about putting him in a protective bubble. If they have a really high concern for him getting injured, then maybe they should just show him the door.

No matter what they do or don't do, I hope the training staff is paying close attention to him and doing whatever preventive measures they can, to keep him on the field.

 

[gopkrs]

For me, it is simply him having less chances of getting hurt on a running down. I don't expect it to happen but would not be opposed to it. Similar to a pass rushing specialist aka Charles Haley.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

For me, it is simply him having less chances of getting hurt on a running down. I don't expect it to happen but would not be opposed to it. Similar to a pass rushing specialist aka Charles Haley.

Well if teams know that Jaire won't be in on every first down, do you think they will just run the ball? I wouldn't want to telegraph that to the opposing OC.

 

[gopkrs]

I think it would be a fluid situation. And I think our reserves might get some valuable experience playing with each other. It would be an experiment. I wouldn't be afraid to try it out. I doubt Jaire would like the idea.

 

[OldSchool101]

I’d more just work on how he should not shoot into a 225lb RB or TE going opposite directions. There’s ways to slow the opposing player down without crashing into each other at 20 miles opposite direction.

Btw unrelated to football but still related, one of my clients (and his Momma) today was Dekalon Taylor. He just accepted an offer to play RB for Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffalos. Be watching that kid he’s small, like a young Aaron Jones, but blazing fast. 5’8-9” ish, I’m guessing 170lb?. But he’s blazing fast. He claims he clocked an unofficial 4.28 X 40. He is a Track Star and was a Longview Lobos RB through HS. Be watching him he’s a dynamic athlete.

 

[tynimiller]

You don't sub package your best corner...now what I would rather they do is be strategic and more conservative with when he is in. Up two scores in the 4th...rest him a series, an entire series...that type of stuff I think we really need to do.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Sounds like Elgton Jenkins wants a new/adjusted contract, before being switched to play at Center. He hasn't participated during the Packers' offseason workout program so far.

While I am not big on giving players currently under contract through 2026, given its a position change, I can kind of see it with Jenkins. I can understand the Packers hesitation though and it might be smarter to do it after he plays center for a full season.

Given that Jenkins workout bonus is a half-a-million dollars, I can't imagine that he wants to lose that.

Packers OL Elgton Jenkins wants to rework contract ahead of position change to center

Packers OL Elgton Jenkins wants a reworked contract before switching positions to center.

packerswire.usatoday.com

 

[gopkrs]

Hell, it seems like we went out and paid big for someone to take his spot, I think partly because he wasn't playing all that great.

 

[Pkrjones]

Jenkins became the 2nd highest paid OG when they extended him 12/22. He's now the 4th highest paid, right behind Banks (his LG replacement). He & his agent read the same articles we all do, that Jenkins may be a cap-casualty after '25. I understand that he would like long-term security at 30 yrs old. He's also not playing up to this contract, with OTC valuing his play at less than $10mil in '24.

Highly doubt Gute throws more $ at Jenkins to keep him content, while hamstringing the future cap. Maybe it's a good time to let Rhyan, Monk, & Hill compete for snaps & see who rises?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Jenkins became the 2nd highest paid OG when they extended him 12/22. He's now the 4th highest paid, right behind Banks (his LG replacement). He & his agent read the same articles we all do, that Jenkins may be a cap-casualty after '25. I understand that he would like long-term security at 30 yrs old. He's also not playing up to this contract, with OTC valuing his play at less than $10mil in '24.

Highly doubt Gute throws more $ at Jenkins to keep him content, while hamstringing the future cap. Maybe it's a good time to let Rhyan, Monk, & Hill compete for snaps & see who rises?

Agree. I think that was why we saw them sign Banks and draft 2 O-line players in this last draft, as well as drafting Morgan in the 1st round last year. Gute knows he won't be taking a near $25M cap hit on Jenkins next year, nor will he probably want to pay both Walker and Tom. This is the season to get all of his OL for 2026 and beyond established.

Jenkins will be 30 in Dec., if he wants long term security at the Center position, he better be prepared to take less money for more years. Which honestly, I think could benefit both him and the Packers. Give him a 4 year deal in the $12-14M/year range. Part of his current contract had a $24M bonus ($6M/year), so I would be sure to factor that into it as well.

If I am the Packers, I am not in any hurry though. This season, his base salary is $11.7M and he can earn $36K for each game he is active. I would rather see how he does as a full time Center, see where other players are and if it looks like they want to keep him, negotiate a deal before the 2026 season.

 

[tynimiller]

I see the Jenkins potential extension quite possibly a guy that knows he's gotta take a 2026 "paycut" if he has a desire to play out his career in GB which is the rumored reason I've heard he has desire to have these discussions.

Ryan Kelly to me is the player comp at center for Jenkins discussions...he just signed a 2 year $18M contract with Vikings. I see argument for sure that Jenkins is no worse if not slightly higher caliber than Kelly.

That said if essentially the team and Jenkins shred the 2026 structure as is, do a 2 year extension (adding 2027 and 2028 to his current contract) that also rewrites 2025 also for somewhere in that $9/$10M year annual type level pay, PLUS puts just a touch more down to Jenkins in guarantee whiile lowering the overall cap hit of 2026 and the future years....it could even make 2028 just be the "dumb" number that 2025 was under his current...

Fact is Jenkins likely knows this could be his last contract of his career depending...I think it is fair for a guy being forced to switch positions to desire a touch of confirmation the team is committed to him by making 2025 NOT be essentially an automatic cut the way it is currently structured.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I see the Jenkins potential extension quite possibly a guy that knows he's gotta take a 2026 "paycut" if he has a desire to play out his career in GB which is the rumored reason I've heard he has desire to have these discussions.

Ryan Kelly to me is the player comp at center for Jenkins discussions...he just signed a 2 year $18M contract with Vikings. I see argument for sure that Jenkins is no worse if not slightly higher caliber than Kelly.

That said if essentially the team and Jenkins shred the 2026 structure as is, do a 2 year extension (adding 2027 and 2028 to his current contract) that also rewrites 2025 also for somewhere in that $9/$10M year annual type level pay, PLUS puts just a touch more down to Jenkins in guarantee whiile lowering the overall cap hit of 2026 and the future years....it could even make 2028 just be the "dumb" number that 2025 was under his current...

Fact is Jenkins likely knows this could be his last contract of his career depending...I think it is fair for a guy being forced to switch positions to desire a touch of confirmation the team is committed to him by making 2025 NOT be essentially an automatic cut the way it is currently structured.

Agree.

I think one of the big values to Jenkins is his flexibility to play pretty much anywhere on the OL. Barring any preseason injuries, he may start the year at Center, but if someone else goes down, Jenkins might get moved.

I don't want to see Jenkins leave Green Bay, but I also don't want to see Green Bay overpay for him. I imagine Jenkins and his agent are expressing their desire to stay in Green Bay, but also pointing out the fact of his value in playing numerous positions, not just center.

 

[gopkrs]

Agree.

I think one of the big values to Jenkins is his flexibility to play pretty much anywhere on the OL. Barring any preseason injuries, he may start the year at Center, but if someone else goes down, Jenkins might get moved.

I don't want to see Jenkins leave Green Bay, but I also don't want to see Green Bay overpay for him. I imagine Jenkins and his agent are expressing their desire to stay in Green Bay, but also pointing out the fact of his value in playing numerous positions, not just center.

I don't get why you would say he can play anywhere on the O line. He was terrible at tackle. It seems if a player has played a position, whether or not he was good or not, it means he's flexible.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I don't get why you would say he can play anywhere on the O line. He was terrible at tackle. It seems if a player has played a position, whether or not he was good or not, it means he's flexible.

Terrible?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I am not even going to post or link any of the several "articles" I have seen on line about: "Rookie WR's Creating Tension and Drama With Veteran WR's in Green Bay".

Good lord! The only one "creating" anything are these people writing a bunch of nonsense. Why isn't there "tension" between all the players at every position, since there were rookies either drafted or signed as UDFA, at just about EVERY position?

Slow NFL news cycle I guess? It is called "competition" people and with every team having around 90 players on their rosters right now, ALL 32 teams are seeing competition at almost every position. If a Veteran player is afraid of competition, than they are in the wrong business.

 

[tynimiller]

I don't get why you would say he can play anywhere on the O line. He was terrible at tackle. It seems if a player has played a position, whether or not he was good or not, it means he's flexible.

He was not terrible, he is far better guard than he showed at tackle but timing of when he played tackle if memory serves also coincides with still likely not 100% after he had the significant injury

 

[gopkrs]

I thought he was bad. When not giving up a sack, he was almost giving up one

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

He was not terrible, he is far better guard than he showed at tackle but timing of when he played tackle if memory serves also coincides with still likely not 100% after he had the significant injury

I thought he was bad. When not giving up a sack, he was almost giving up one

While I wouldn't call him a Pro Bowler at LT or RT, he is very capable of stepping into either position and performing at a decent level. This is the type of Offensive Lineman that Gute and the Packers seem to covet. Injuries seem to happen during a game, and if a lineman goes down, even if you have to shuffle some starters to different positions, it is optimal to have your best 5 players out there. That is versus running in maybe a rookie, that hasn't seen a lot of action at a particular position.