Randall Cobb: The Green Bay Packers must sign him
If there’s anything the Green Bay Packers must do between now and next spring it’s to open the wallet and re-sign wide receiver Randall Cobb.
How they do it, when they do it doesn’t really matter … it’s something that simply must be done.
“I don’t really know what to expect, because this is my first time in this situation,” Cobb told Don Banks of si.com this week. “But I’ve had the opportunity to see different guys before me go through it. I saw it happen for Jordy. I saw it happen for [potential free-agent cornerback] Sam Shields, and I understand the business aspect of it. But this organization has shown that usually, whenever they want to see a player continue to grow and develop and work their way through the system, they do try to make those moves and re-sign guys.’’
Randall Cobb could be looking up at a much bigger contract in the next couple of years …
Raymond T. Rivard photograph
Nelson re-signed with the Packers for slightly less than $10 million per year just prior to the start of the 2014 season. It was a great signing, as Nelson’s production has only gotten better this year.
For Cobb, who is just 24 years of age, his upside is even greater than that of Nelson.
Cobb told Banks this:
"“I hope I can say I’m a Packer for life, but with this business you never know. I’m trying to keep that in my head, but I definitely would love to be here for my whole career. I love the city of Green Bay. I love the people here. It’s a very close-knit community to the organization and the fan base is unbelievable. The way we do things here is great. I definitely think it fits me and my personality, who I am as a person.’’"
The Packers should be smart about it, but they should also try to find a way to ink Cobb to a deal that will keep him in Green Bay long-term … having him and quarterback Aaron Rodgers on the same field for at least the next 5-7 years would be a huge coups for the Packers. It would give them stability at the position for years to come … it would also guarantee that Cobb and Nelson would be damaging opponents’ defensive backfields for a long time into the future.
Here’s how Cobb approached that subject:
“It’s definitely special what Aaron’s doing. I see it week in and week out, and day in and day out. I think when it’s all said and done, he’s going to be the best quarterback in the history of this game, and arguably the best football player in the history of this game. And that’s definitely worth something to me to be able to play with him. I’ve told him thousands of times that I want to be a part of it, and I just want to help him get to where he wants to go. I’m just thankful to be able to take the ride with him.’’
So, will Cobb get as much as Nelson on the open market?
Undoubtedly.
Will the Packers offer him that much prior to the start of free agency or will they bring him to the edge – like they did with Shields – and then convince him that he’s better off staying in Green Bay where he can be assured that he will have Aaron Rodgers throwing him the ball for many years to come?
That is a question that only Ted Thompson can answer.
For some perspective, the New York Giants signed Victor Cruz to a deal that averages just more than $7.3 million per year. Cobb is easily in that category.
The general consensus of those familiar with the situation is that the Packers will, by hook or crook, sign Cobb at some point.
However, that also comes with the caveat that as the season continues, the price may climb because of his incredible production.
The bottom line for the Green Bay Packers and their fan base is that they will get a player who could continue All-Pro-caliber play for years to come and give the team what they need to continue to provide Aaron Rodgers with the tools to be successful for years to come.
Here are Cobb’s statistics … they speak for themselves …