Trouble Brewing in GB at Wide Receiver
Dustin Baker
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While the extension of Kirk Cousins dominates the Minnesota Vikings news cycle, the Green Bay Packers have a budding problem in Wisconsin.
Last week, the Packers used the oft-opprobrious franchise tag on wide receiver Davante Adams, who most pundits and fans believe is the best wide receiver in the world. The move afforded the Packers control over Adams, a player scheduled to command supreme interest on the open market.
But there’s a hiccup. Like many players, Adams isn’t a fan of the franchise tag and won’t play with the destination hanging over his head in Green Bay.
In the last five seasons, Adams leads the NFL in receiving yards and touchdowns with only Kansas City Chiefs players, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, nipping at his heels.
If Adams allowed it, the franchise tag would have paid the player about $20.1 million in 2022. Yet, as is the case with all franchise-tag scenarios, the deal offers zero long-term stability for players in an ultraviolent sport.
Plus, Adams will be 30 years old next Christmas eve, so this free-agent cycle is his last best chance to break the bank. Of course, Adams can play well into his 30s, but pass-catchers tend to diminish in this age range — unless they’re called Jerry Rice.
Recently, Aaron Rodgers recommitted to Green Bay after two months of strange drama. When the season ended in heartbreak for the Packers — another playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers — Rodgers promised his decision on playing in 2022 would be swift. It wasn’t.
The week before free agency, though, Rogers agreed to return to Green Bay, although the terms of the deal are oddly mysterious as of March 14th. Ian Rapaport reported the deal was for four years and $200 million. Rodgers refuted, explaining he hadn’t signed anything but was still intent on another whirl at a Super Bowl with the Packers.
Too, the Packers salary cap is a mess. On Monday, Green Bay parted ways with EDGE rusher Za’Darious Smith and offensive lineman Billy Turner in efforts to reduce the cap crunch. At the time of this article’s publication, Green Bay is still over the cap by $17 million, the second-worst standing in the league behind the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams.
Overall, with the Adams announcement, Green Bay must afford the Fresno State alumnus a market-setting contract — or trade him.
And the volume of trade suitors would be abundant.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. His YouTube Channel, VikesNow, debuts in March 2022. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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