Green Bay Packers free agents: Who will walk? Who will stay?
Scott Tolzien watches as a play against the Eagles unfolds in 2013..
Raymond T. Rivard photograph
Scott Tolzien, 27, 3-year pro, $600,000 annual salary
Tolzien showed enough in preseason that the Packers kept both he and Matt Flynn as backup quarterbacks. The real question in the offseason will be whether Green Bay continues to go with two backups.
My guess is that they won’t. They kept Tolzien for the long run; Matt Flynn (see below) was kept simply as window dressing with the hope that they would never have to use him.
Tolzien has the talent and the Packers see his value in the coming years.
Keep or let him walk?
Tolzien has a much bigger upside than Matt Flynn. They should keep Tolzien.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Flynn
29, 6 year pro, $1,068,125 – single-year contract
Matt Flynn was brought back to Green Bay as an insurance policy in the event that Aaron Rodgers was injured again. He knows the system and showed in 2013 that he can lead a team to victory.
Though Rodgers was hurt during the year, the Packers saw how ineffective he was in the limited time he saw the field.
In my mind, he has played his final year with the Packers.
So to keep or let him walk?
It’s obvious. The Packers are ready to move on to Tolzien in 2015. They should use the money they are paying to Flynn and shuffle it to Tolzien.
Let Flynn walk.
John Kuhn. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports photograph
John Kuhn
32, 8-year pro, $1,030,000 – single-year contract
KUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHNNNNNNNN!
With his single-season contract expiring, it’s difficult to say what the Packers might do with Kuhn, one of the most popular, blue collar, hard working players on the roster.
His value this year was well-documented. His blocking was superb and his role in the offense continued to be solid.
If the Packers adjust their offense and eliminate the fullback position like so many other teams in the NFL, it won’t be a good sign for Kuhn.
But should the keep or let him walk?
Who knows, maybe the 32-year-old Kuhn will walk away from the game after this season, but if not, I can’t see him playing anywhere else. Unless they can get another hometown discount from him, the Packers should say thanks for everything and let Kuhn walk. My guess is that he will be back in some capacity.
Letroy Guion celebrates after a sack in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports photograph
Letroy Guion
27, 6 year pro, $1,000,000 – single-year contract
Guion has been a solid addition to the Packers defensive line. We didn’t see him play a single snap in preseason and really didn’t know what the team had until the regular season kicked off.
He showed an innate ability to penetrate the middle and was decent in stopping the run. He’s been an emotional leader for the team and has provided the spark the team needed after losing B.J. Raji.
Keep or let him walk?
Even before the season ended, there were reports that the Packers were in negotiations to re-sign the former Viking. He was consistent down the stretch and it would be an excellent re-signing if the Packers can get him to sign a friendly contract.