Green Bay Packers free agents: Who will walk? Who will stay?
Jarrett Bush. Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE photograph
Jarrett Bush
30, 8-year pro, $1,750,000 annual salary
Though Jarrett Bush is long in the tooth, he’s the consummate professional. Mike McCarthy loves his attention to detail and his abilities on special teams. Guys like Bush don’t come around very often and in my mind I can’t imagine that he wouldn’t want to come back to Green Bay.
For years I kept wondering how this guy continued to make the roster, but he’s shown flashes as a defensive back and is still one of the best special-teamers on the squad.
Unless something like winning the Super Bowl MVP comes around for Bush, I don’t see why the Packers can’t bring him back, as long as he continues to be a solid contributor.
Keep or let him walk?
Bush is a bargain at $1.75 million and if they can land him for a similar price, the Packers should bring him back – as long as they feel he can fit into their plans for 2015.
Bring him back.
B.J. Raji. Raymond T. Rivard photograph
B.J. Raji
28, 5-year pro, $4,000,000 – single year contract
Raji was signed to prove his worth this past season, but that was before he tore his triceps just before the start of the campaign. We were all revved up to see what B.J. could do for this team, but now that he hasn’t played a single snap on his single-season $4 million contract, I highly doubt Green Bay is going to stick their necks out again for the big guy.
While his value would be added depth to a defensive line that was up and down this past season, the Packers found a gem in Letroy Guion.
Everybody loves B.J. He’s a locker room plus, but it seems to me that it’s probably best if Raji takes his chances on the open market.
Keep or let him walk?
If no other team shows an interest in Raji, then he may fall back into the laps of the Packers for a steal of a deal. If that happens, great … otherwise, the Packers have to let him walk.
Davon House breaks up the pass intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports photograph
Davon House
25, 3-year pro, $585,145 annual salary
With the likelihood that the Packers will be parting ways with veteran Tramon Williams, it’s likely they will be needing as much depth at cornerback as they can get. House has been steady as an occasional starter, as well as when he’s come off the bench.
He’s flashed some real talent, but has also been beaten at times – but what cornerback hasn’t?
Keep or let him walk?
House’s youth and the fact that the Packers can probably re-sign him at a very reasonable price somewhere in the $1.5 to $3 million range, he could be a keeper. He knows the system and has shown great improvement the past couple of seasons.
Green Bay Packers running back DuJuan Harris. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
DuJuan Harris
26, one year pro, $555,000 annual salary
Considering that Harris was pegged as the starting running back before the emergence of Eddie Lacy in 2013 and the re-signing of James Starks this past season, he did nothing but return kicks for the Packers in 2014.
But his value dropped significantly late in the season when the Packers gave up on him as a returner and made him inactive for the final quarter of the year.
With the likelihood that Jared Abbrederis and/or event Jeff Janis could come out next year and claim the return duties, that leaves Harris buried on the bench. His time in Green Bay is limited.
Keep or let him walk?
Again, unless the Packers see a need for Harris as a running back in 2015, it’s likely the team will let him at least test free agency. Harris might be one of those players who could land back in Green Bay simply because there won’t be any interest anywhere else.
Either way, it would have to be for the hometown discount.
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