NFL teams can begin to franchise tag players today. One of the names being bandied about is Packers slot receiver Randall Cobb. Cobb had a VERY productive 2014 with over 12,000 yards and 12 touchdowns. As a complement to Jordy Nelson, Cobb has been a playmaker (see Packers v. Bears 2013) and is exactly the kind of character guy the Packers have spent money to keep since Ted Thompson came to Green Bay.
The Packers though, have a couple young, promising receivers in Jeff Janis and Jared Abbrederis so keeping Cobb could be less than first priority for the Pack. Plus, the Packers have been able to draft young players who can contribute…ala…Devante Adams last season.
So what do you think Packernation? What should the Packers position be relative to Randall Cobb during this critical time?
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Cobb is a slot receiver and the going price for them are in the nge of 4 to 5 million a year so with Cobb being a little extra to the team offer him like a 6 million 4 year contract if he takes it fine if not let him walk
Everything I’ve read says that the NFL does not separate a slot receiver from any other receiver, and his franchise tag would be in the range of $12mil for 2015. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
But whether he gets less money as a slot receiver is not relevant to the conversation. It’s what he’s worth for GB to keep him vs what he’s worth to other teams to sign. And it would be ignorant to suggest that he’s only worth $6 mil over 4 years, his rookie contract was almost that much. If I were Cobb, I wouldn’t sign for that, and I doubt you would either. That’s a low ball insult to a talented player who has established a great chemistry with Rodgers over the last 4 years.
I believe Cobb is easily worth top 10 receivers money. The question is whether he’s worth that much to TT or not, and how much less Cobb is willing to take to remain in GB and have a chance for rings. And I’d argue that TT put himself in this position. Had he worked out a deal at the beginning of the season, he would have gotten Cobb much cheaper. TT did not entertain any contract talks during the season with Cobb, and now it will cost the team considerably more. Still, the Packers can easily afford to offer Cobb a $45 mil 6 year deal.
I believe that the vast majority of Packers fans and players will be irate if a deal isn’t done. Pay the man!
Not 6m for four years but 6m a year on a 4 year contract. what your saying is about the same a 6 year contract for 45m is about 7m a year!
Pay him! He is solid player give him 5 million plus bonus for each TD over 12. And playoff bonus contingent to TD and catches exceeded 2014.
The problem that I have with incentive based contracts, and that I’m sure Cobb is aware of, is that when Rodgers gets big leads at home and sits out entire quarters or halves, that impacts the production of WRs drastically. Our offense literally stopped when Flynn took the field this year, and turned into a run run pass punt offense. Incentive based contracts such as your suggestion are the best way in the football world to create problems between coaches and players.
Also, setting the bar at 12 TDs is a bit steep. Only 9 WRs achieved 12 TDs this year, and only 3 WRs had more than 12 TDs this year. I think Cobb is too smart to allow such a contingency toward his salary.
Pay Cobb. He’s a play maker and a smart player. Not every receiver wants to make catches over the middle, so the packers are lucky to have him step in for Donald Driver in such timely fashion. Cobb’s also an emergency QB and kick returner if we need him in either role. He seems like a character guy as well, lock him up. Its more reasonable to run out Devante Adams rookie contract hoping he’ll be the next Javon Walker or Greg Jennings, while keeping an eye on the draft for the same thing. If we lock up Cobb, the Pack’s offense is a big body good hands Tight End away from being absolutely stellar, and that’s without a tall jump ball receiver/Tight End. Think what Rodgers would do with a Julius Thomas or Calvin Johnson Vs. anyone matchup in the red zone.
I think Cobb has proved himself & should
Be kept. But I’m not the Coach & he knows who are coming down in the draft & he will do best for The Packers Nation!