Packers Archives

NFL free agency 2022: Davante Adams franchise tag dynamics, plus chances of a Packers trade or long-term deal

March 5, 2022 Bella

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst referred to using a franchise tag on Davante Adams as a last resort last week when meeting with the local Green Bay media. The All-Pro wide receiver is exactly the type of player that typically gets franchised, although the last time the Packers used the designation was in 2010 on defensive tackle Ryan Pickett.

Adams is the NFL’s most productive wide receiver since signing his expiring four-year contract extension at the end of the 2017 season. He leads the NFL in receptions (432), receiving yards (5,310) and touchdown catches (47) during this span. Adams set the Packers single season record for receiving yardage with 1,553 yards in 2021. He also had 123 catches to break his own team record along with 11 receiving touchdowns.

The Packers have less than a week to avoid the last resort scenario. The deadline for NFL teams to designate a franchise player is 4 p.m. ET on March 8. Gutekunst indicated there’s been “constant communication” with Adams and his representatives during his media session on Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

The Packers already have a challenging salary cap situation without a $20.12 million franchise tag for Adams. After entering the offseason approximately $50 million over the projected $208.2 million 2022 salary cap, the Packers have started decreasing the overage by restructuring multiple contracts (tackle David Bakhtiari, defensive tackle Kenny Clark, running back Aaron Jones). The overage doesn’t factor in Adams’ franchise tag. The $20.12 million would become a Green Bay salary cap charge as soon as the designation is made.

Could the Packers and Adams reach a long-term deal?

The Packers and Adams weren’t close to reaching an agreement during negotiations last offseason. Adams wanted to replace DeAndre Hopkins as the NFL’s highest paid wide receiver. The

Team, league execs think discipline to Rodgers, Packers not nearly stern enough; shows preferential treatment

November 18, 2021 Bella

The decision to merely fine the Packers $300,000 and Aaron Rodgers less than $15,000 for repeated violations of the COVID protocols prompted a strong backlash within the NFL last week, including among many within league offices, team and league sources said.

Rodgers misrepresented his vaccination stance in public and flouted mask protocols for unvaccinated players, culminating in a lengthy appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” after he tested positive for COVID-19, in which he remarked he would not be “shamed” into wearing a mask. Unvaccinated players are required to be tested daily and wear a mask when not on the field and are also limited in regards to their off-field interactions with teammates, per the collectively bargained protocols between the NFL and NFLPA. Rodgers did not wear a mask on the sidelines or during media interactions prior to being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and was also captured in images posted on social media violating the rules off site, including at a Halloween party that Packers players organized.

The decision to treat the matter as essentially one violation of protocols, rather than dock the team draft picks and sanction Rodgers himself more seriously, was ridiculed throughout the industry. And even many within the league office believed it was far too soft and gave the impression of preferential treatment for a storied franchise without a traditional ownership structure and with strong ties to the league office. Suffice to say, there will be significant pressure outside league headquarters, and within, to come down much harder on the team and the future Hall of Fame quarterback should Rodgers continue to violate obvious protocols in the future.

“If I was the Raiders, or the Saints, I would be irate,” said one league official, noting franchises that faced far steeper sanctions for violations last year.