Green Bay Packers 2013 Free Agency Tracker
Free agency begun Tuesday for the Packers and 31 other NFL teams. We'll track everything you need to know about Green Bay's free-agent action here.
By Zach Kruse
The NFL's free agency period in 2013 began Tuesday for all 11 of the Green Bay Packers' in-house free agents.
We'll track each of those players, including where they sign and for how much, plus any new additions made by GM Ted Thompson, here:
Restricted Free Agents
TE Tom Crabtree
Crabtree signed a two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, per Jason Wilde of ESPN Milwaukee.
OL Evan Dietrich-Smith
The Packers gave Dietrich-Smith an original-round tender, which essentially equates to nothing more than a right of first refusal. If Green Bay chose not to match an offer sheet to EDS, the Packers would receive no compensation in return. The one-year tender is worth $1.32 million.
LB Rob Francois
Francois and the Packers agreed to a one-year deal, believed to be above the league minimum but under the $1.323 million price tag of the low tender.
CB Sam Shields
The Packers gave Shields a second-round tender, worth $2.02 million in 2013. Green Bay can match any offer sheet signed by Shields, and would receive a second-round pick in the 2013 NFL draft if the decision was made against matching such an offer.
LB Frank Zombo
The Packers did not tender Zombo, making him a de facto UFA. Zombo signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Unrestricted Free Agents
RB Cedric Benson
RB Ryan Grant
WR Greg Jennings
Jennings agreed to a five-year, $47.5 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings.
LB Brad Jones
Jones agreed to a three-year, $11.25 million deal to stay in Green Bay.
LB Erik Walden
Walden signed a four-year, $16 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts.
DB Charles Woodson (released)
NEW ADDITIONS
K Giorgio Tavecchio
CB Loyce Means
TE Matthew Mulligan
Mulligan and the Packers agreed to a one-year deal.
Zach Kruse is a 24-year-old sports writer who contributes to Cheesehead TV, Bleacher Report and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He also covers prep sports for the Dunn Co. News. You can reach him on Twitter @zachkruse2 or by email at [email protected].
Comments (57)
March 12, 2013 at 08:33 pm
LMAO, I love the effort, BUT... If there's one team that probably doesn't need a FA tracker, well...
But I'll be here buddy! Hoping for some sweet action!
March 12, 2013 at 08:40 pm
Zach - can you add a 'Latest Rumors' section at the end, or will that taint the list?
March 12, 2013 at 08:52 pm
Lol... "Taint".
Zach Kruse
March 13, 2013 at 01:16 am
I might be able to. I'll do it tomorrow if so
March 12, 2013 at 09:27 pm
Ya I'm not sure anybody will end up on GB free agent signing list.
What you guys think about Hillis stopping by GB. Not sure he's right for us. But what do I know. Thoughts?
March 12, 2013 at 09:30 pm
I've read it's likely a ploy to drive down the price for Jackson.
He really doesn't bring much to the table. I suppose maybe he'd be a cheaper alternative to Kuhn?
March 13, 2013 at 11:47 am
i do not like hillis, Jackson i could get on board with but not hillis
March 12, 2013 at 09:30 pm
Wish you had grouped them by category.
Zach Kruse
March 13, 2013 at 01:17 am
Made that change. Good call.
March 12, 2013 at 09:52 pm
Pack has supposedly expressed interest in Sean Smith - http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2013/3/12/4095184/green-bay-packers-fr...
Could have some Tramon implications, but I think the price is out of Theodore's range.
March 12, 2013 at 09:54 pm
Tom Silverstein said it was a false rumor
March 12, 2013 at 09:56 pm
Yeah, that rumor never passed the smell test.
March 12, 2013 at 10:01 pm
What about shonne green? He's young... And hits the hole hard. Could work for us if he can pass protect and get some yds on the screen plays Dujuan Harris doesn't take up.
March 12, 2013 at 10:02 pm
Emphatically pass.
March 12, 2013 at 10:03 pm
Reasons? Must have lots to be emphatic.
March 12, 2013 at 10:44 pm
The guy just does nothing for me. He's not great or special at anything. Epitome of an average back imo.... Just not a fan. We have average backs. Just my take.
March 12, 2013 at 11:07 pm
For a cheaper route. I don't think he would be a bad option. He played on a horrible team. Look at the Jets offense. Their line is bad. The QB play is one of the 5 worst in the league. No receivers, I guess they have Holmes but he is overated and doesn't play hard.
I think in the right offense surrounded with the right talent, he could be a 1000-1200 yard back consistantly...
If the price was right I would add him. With Rodgers and the Passing game. Along with Dujuan Harris. I think its worth the gamble.
March 13, 2013 at 12:25 pm
Agree with Fitz.
Anyone who's ever owned him in fantasy knows his talents are extremely limited. Tons of carries, terrible averages. I don't care how "bad" his line might have been (and it's run blocking can't be that bad when Mangold is your center).
March 13, 2013 at 01:31 pm
Lol, TheMichaelRose... I didn't want to admit it, but a large reason why I think Greene blows is because I've owned him in fantasy. Average. Back.
March 12, 2013 at 10:02 pm
I'd also love Eddie Lacy in the draft but is he really good because of Alabamas o-line? Or is he real deal. Hard to tell.
March 12, 2013 at 10:17 pm
I hate the idea of drafting a guy that wasn't even the most talented back on his college team.
March 12, 2013 at 11:10 pm
I agree.. I'm not sure what to expect out of Lacy. I can't get out of my head of the National championship game where he was 5 yards down the field on most plays before he even was touched.
I'm skeptical. I think you'll find better value at RB in rounds 2-4.
March 13, 2013 at 12:19 pm
I don't buy the argument about him not being the best back on his team. Richardson was fantastic, Lacy wasn't going to get a ton of carries while Richardson was around. Doesn't mean Lacy can't start in the NFL. Alabama is stacked. But if you're referring to T.J. Yeldon, perhaps you have an argument, but I think it's just their styles as runners that are different.
And asking whether it's him or his line should be nullified somewhat after we saw what Richardson did for Cleveland this year.
That said, I do not support drafting a RB in the first round, ever. The Packers haven't done it, haven't needed to. They don't last long enough to warrant the opportunity cost of a first round pick. Even if we drafted a great one, we'd never want to commit the financial resources to keeping him after his rookie contract, because the position is not important enough to our offense.
March 14, 2013 at 07:21 pm
I'm talking about Ingram, Richardson, and Yeldon ALL being more talented than he is. I understand those are all very talented guys, but for him to be the 4th best says a lot.
Oh, and Trent Richardson had a lower YPC than any of our abysmal running backs in Green Bay, so I don't know how that nullifies anything.
March 12, 2013 at 10:14 pm
How about Antoine Winfield if the price were right? Too old for Ted?
March 12, 2013 at 10:56 pm
Definitely too old for THompson. Not too mention we have alot of depth at CB. Don't see it...
March 12, 2013 at 11:11 pm
Agreed Stroh.
If Thompson cut Charles Woodson cuz he was to old. No way he even looks at Winfield.
March 13, 2013 at 07:20 am
He cut Woodson not because of age, but because of ability and price. I'd say Winfield > Woodson right now. He's a guy I'd love to have. But it won't happen. No room for him.
PackerAaron
March 13, 2013 at 08:50 am
<em>I'd say Winfield > Woodson right now</em>
And you'd be right.
March 13, 2013 at 02:47 am
i think TT will sign some FA's just for the fact that we are now missing veteran leadership in the squad. alongside Steven Jackson the one player i am rooting for if he isnt too expensive is Shaun Phillips. proven sack master. had 10 last season.
March 13, 2013 at 09:53 am
Ok, let's sign Jennings and trade Finley for a 2nd- or a 3rd-round pick. I would lov it. And stranger things have happend. (For example someone gave Walden 4mil/year)
March 13, 2013 at 11:32 am
Let's sign a RB like Jackson, a DT/E and let Jennings walk.
March 13, 2013 at 11:23 am
Zach - really appreciate the work here. good stuff.
March 13, 2013 at 11:34 am
As of 1030 this am, from ESPN Insider on Steven Jackson...
"The Green Bay Packers have found great long-term success in part by adhering to a long-term policy of not overpaying for players, especially unrestricted free agents who are available. Apparently, that's a big reason why Steven Jackson has not signed a free-agent contract with the team, despite mutual interest between the two parties.
"The Packers made contact with the representatives of Jackson to express interest in the former St. Louis Ram, according to an NFL source, but it doesn't appear they are close to signing him. In fact, they may be engaging in a bit of gamesmanship in an attempt to get the best deal," wrote Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
"The Packers seem to be taking their usual low-key approach, refusing to be used as leverage for a bigger deal Jackson might get from Atlanta, which may be the big running back's preference. Without two teams bidding against one another, however, the price isn't going to rise to a level Jackson's representatives are seeking."
Furthering the aforementioned gamesmanship, ESPN reported Tuesday that the Packers have arranged a visit with another veteran free-agent running back, Peyton Hillis. Whether their interest in Hillis is genuine or an attempt to show Jackson that they are willing to look elsewhere for help in the backfield remains to be seen, but clearly Jackson would be an upgrade on Hillis. However, it seems clear that the club is sticking with their plan of not overpaying to fill their needs."
I think I've read somewhere that Packers DON'T have a visit planned for Hillis.
Either way...seems as though its further from actually happening.
March 13, 2013 at 12:43 pm
Should the Packers take a look at Bernard Pollard??
I think so...
Haha Nagler says "no thanks"
March 13, 2013 at 01:40 pm
NEW ADDITIONS
The Packers have not yet made a free-agent addition.
Crickets....
Hahahahahahaha...I expect this "understatement of the year" to be here a looooong time....
Ol' Tightwad Ted won't change his ways..
Ted could have had Marshawn Lynch...nope...Teddy boy could have had a LOT of guys that would have helped the Packers, but he likes the "young boys" out of college and believes his own press as a "draft guru"....
This is the same crap that he pulls year after year that won't put the Packers over the top. Favre saw him for what he was, and moved on.
Don't expect to win another Championship, cheese ball lovers..tee hee...
March 13, 2013 at 03:03 pm
...
Oh sorry, just cleaning up this old Superbowl ring. You know the one right? Got it a few years back now. You'd be surprised how dirty it gets when you wear it out all the time!
Yeah, that Marshawn Lynch. Probably could've had him. What's that? He's won how many superbowls since joining the Seahawks? Oh. I'm sure he'll break through at some point.
And that Farve, what a card eh? Come again? He won how many Superbowls once he left Green Bay. Tsk, tsk. Well, that's the way the cookie crumbles.
March 13, 2013 at 08:04 pm
JJ! How the hell ya been ya dum-sum-bitch!?!?
March 13, 2013 at 09:24 pm
Ryan Pickett and Charles Woodson spring to mind.
Cedric Benson.
Soooo.. Whatevs.
March 14, 2013 at 12:17 am
Benson the lame? Pickett and Woodson were SEVEN years ago. Don't forget AJ Hawk, TT's favorite player, was technically a free agent for about half a minute before Ted threw $33 million at him, back-loaded w/r to cap. Howz that for a FA signing?
March 14, 2013 at 03:06 am
The point being, when there's value in FA, and it makes sense, TT will actually sign a guy.
Hey, we could always be the Eagles if that's what everybody wants.
March 13, 2013 at 02:19 pm
Adam Schefter just tweeted that Jackson accepted a 3-year deal with the Packers then deleted it. Damn false alarms.
March 13, 2013 at 09:26 pm
I know, it's been about seven hours and not any explanation.
It's killin' me.
Damn you, Schefter. DAMN YOU!!
March 13, 2013 at 09:18 pm
From Bill Barnwell at Grantland:
"...which is why the league's smarter teams go out of their way to acquire additional picks and are happy to take 90 percent of the player for 50 percent of the price in free agency. What those smart teams will do in this new economy is — very simply — be patient. The true stars will disappear off the market early, and the dumber teams will pay a premium for talent to lock them up in the first 24 to 48 hours, but the smart teams will wait. Even if it's just a week, antsy players will see the open slots beginning to fill up around them and settle for far less than they would have at the opening of free agency."
March 14, 2013 at 05:09 am
Jennings was supposedly offered 10mil/year and turned it down...now stock is down and he'll be lucky if he gets 7-8mil/yr
March 14, 2013 at 06:52 am
Adam Schefter tweeted this am that Jennings is visiting the Vikings today.
March 14, 2013 at 03:17 pm
Jackson to the Falcons....wtf.
March 14, 2013 at 04:51 pm
did the colts mix up brad jones and erik walden or something? it blows my mind that he's even still in the league.
March 14, 2013 at 07:35 pm
We passed on Steven Jackson at 4 mil/year?? Wtf!! The packers think Jennings is worth at least 2.5 Steven Jacksons!! Nooo. The only way this can get any worse is if Ted brings in Samkon Gado.
March 15, 2013 at 12:22 pm
What is the pulse on the idea of keeping Brad Jones and not AJ Hawk??
March 15, 2013 at 04:55 pm
Hawk is back - restructured deal
March 15, 2013 at 12:53 pm
What about bringing in James Harrison? I like it solely for the fact that it could give our D some nastiness. For the right price his hardnosed pressence is kind of what this group needs.
March 16, 2013 at 07:22 am
Crabtree is the first loss I'm really worried about. He is that kind of a player you need.
March 16, 2013 at 08:36 am
HAHAHAHAHAHA...
Maybe TT will do this..maybe he'll do that!!!
Maybe he'll do what he always does and sit on his thumb and hope to pull out a PLUM!!!
I actually feel sorry for you guys waiting with expectations hoping that Turtle Ted will do something...and then the inevitable "sour grapes" when someone gets signed..."Oh...those grapes were sour anyway"...hehehehe
Face it, Cheesers...the Pack is on the way DOWN...He let Jennings go to MINNESOTA???
Where's all the TRAITOR talk and we're not going to retire his number in Packer heaven and all that other baby bullshit we heard a few years ago...eh????
I think after a few more losing seasons, Rodgers moves on and the reign of Tightwad Teddy boy will be over, thank god.
This guy is a nightmare.
Hey Ted, you cheap bastard...there's this thing called FREE AGENCY that you can take advantage of to improve your team..it doesn't ALL have to be about the DRAFT!!!
March 16, 2013 at 11:58 pm
No matter what he does... We'll keep kickin viqueen ASS! and bear and lion...
March 16, 2013 at 08:25 pm
I just saw that Cullen Jenkins signed with the Giants (3yr, $8mil). I wish the Pack would have brought him back; especially for that price. Packers have been searching for his replacement ever since they didn't try to resign him 2 years ago.
March 19, 2013 at 09:10 am
AND............................................................................................................................................
C * R * I * C* K * E * T * S
(hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha........)