Green Bay Packers: 12 players that need to go this offseason
3. Bryan Bulaga
He’s missed 31 of 80 games since 2013 with an assortment of ankle and knee injuries. Is there any reason to think Bulaga will suddenly find the fountain of durability nine years into his NFL career with that kind of track record? Offensive linemen need to bend their knees on every play and it’s highly questionable that Bulaga will able to manage that over the course of a 16-game season going forward. Retirement may be the way to go for the venerable bookend who will be remembered as one of the top offensive tackles in franchise history.
2. Randall Cobb
The veteran slot receiver still has value as an underneath weapon that can out-quick and out-maneuver defenders across the middle and tack on yards after the catch. But being useful is far off from being a go-to guy. At this stage of the game, Cobb is a complementary piece that flows in and out of games and, at times, becomes totally invisible.
Furthermore, his yards-per-catch numbers are on a three-year decline and his lack of size make him vulnerable to vicious hits where safeties and linebackers roam. All of that isn’t worth an annual stipend of $10 million. A steep pay cut is in order or it may be time to thank Cobb for the memories.
The entertaining pitchman bounced back from an abysmal 2016 campaign by posting across-the-board gains in multiple categories, including games played. The fire and leadership are still there with the 31-year-old, but where’s the consistency? What’s more, it’s now been four seasons since Matthews has recorded double-digit sacks.
Much like Cobb, the edge rusher’s 2018 salary is north of $10 million and his recent production indicates that he may need to agree to a pay cut in order for the front office to adequately shore up the roster.
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Parting ways with the “Claymaker” may not be a popular move with some team supporters, but CM3 is no longer an elite defender in the mold of Chandler Jones or Cameron Jordan and no longer warrants being paid like one.