Not particularly surprising here. The Green Bay Packers will have to make some decisions with their receiving corps this offseason.
They have three guys — Davante Adams, Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb — with cap numbers close to or more than $10 million. The Packers could part with Cobb or Nelson and actually save some money. Both are entering the final year of their contract.
Our feeling was the Packers would ask Nelson to restructure and, in reality, take a pay cut. He is coming off his least-productive season since 2009. Nelson caught 53 balls for 482 yards and six touchdowns in 2017. The one thing he does have going for him is he still appears to have chemistry with Aaron Rodgers. All six of Nelson’s TDs came when Rodgers was healthy.
Another thing we have long felt is the Packers would eventually play Nelson in the slot as his career wound down. Obviously, Cobb currently occupies that spot. Also important to keep in mind is Nelson will be 33 in May. Cobb will only be 28 this summer.
However, Ian Rapoport is suggesting that the Packers will end up parting ways with Cobb, rather than Nelson. He discusses the situation toward the end of this video.
The #Cowboys and WR Dez Bryant are at a crossroads… but don't be surprised if they work it out with an extension (along with some #Packers notes). pic.twitter.com/6XhuKHTWF2
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 15, 2018
Cobb caught 66 balls for 653 yards and four touchdowns in 2017. Even though he outperformed Nelson, Cobb hasn’t come close to the numbers he put up in his career (and contract) year. In 2014, Cobb went for 91, 1,287 and 12.
If Cobb does find himself out of work, that surely won’t last long. However, that leaves the Packers with another hole to fill on a roster that seemingly has plenty. Nelson is probably better suited for the slot at this point, but the Packers will need a big, fast receiver on the outside to replace him. There really isn’t anyone on the roster that appears capable of filling that role.