OTAs begin for the Green Bay Packers tomorrow. They’re technically voluntary, but that doesn’t mean the gang won’t all be there.
That’s because the Packers have given them plenty of incentive to show up, voluntary or not. The team leads the league in the amount of money they’re paying guys to show up for OTAs.
That number is at $4.3 million. Three guys — Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews and Sam Shields — are getting paid $500,000. That’s the second-highest workout bonus number in the NFL.
Thirteen more guys are making at least $100,000 to show up.
The first part of OTAs, which lasts two weeks, is nothing more than strength training and rehab. The team won’t actually take the field for any drills until the second session at the end of May.
It seems pretty certain everyone will report this week because of the money. The one question mark is the recently-signed Julius Peppers. He has no workout bonus in his contract this season.
It will be interesting to see what he does.