Packers: Three free agents they shouldn’t re-sign this offseason

Three free agents the Green Bay Packers shouldn’t re-sign this offseason.

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has some big decisions to make this offseason.

And not just about which positions to address, who to sign in free agency and who to target in the draft, but also which players not to re-sign.

The Packers shouldn’t re-sign these three players:

1. Clay Matthews

Clay Matthews has had an outstanding career in Green Bay, no question about it. He was a key part of the Packers’ Super Bowl run in 2010, and he has more career sacks than any other player in franchise history.

But after putting up double-digit sacks four times in his first six seasons with the Packers, Matthews has now failed to do so in his past four. His total of 3.5 sacks in 2018 was a career-low.

Given his age (Matthews turns 33 in May), injury history and declining production, it’s time for the Packers to get younger at edge rusher.

2. Randall Cobb

I can certainly see the argument for re-signing Randall Cobb to a short-term deal; I even made a case for doing just that. The reason for bringing back Cobb is that he has Aaron Rodgers‘ trust, and he has made a number of big plays for this team over the years. The other positive is that a new contract would likely be just a one or two-year deal at a reasonable price.

But the big concern is Cobb’s injury history. He has missed 11 games in the past three seasons and has only played in all 16 twice in his career.

If Cobb walks the Packers will need to add a slot receiver this offseason, but there will be plenty of options both in free agency and the draft that would make sense. Marquez Valdes-Scantling could also line up in the slot more frequently.

Cobb is only 28 and proved last season he can still make game-changing plays, but his injury history is a real concern.

3. Lance Kendricks

Lance Kendricks signed with the Packers two years ago with Jared Cook departing. The trouble is that Cook had more receiving yards (377) in just 10 games with the Packers than Kendricks (373) in 32 games.

Kendricks also had just 37 receptions over two seasons and a number of frustrating drops at important moments.

Tight end is an offseason need for the Packers. With Jimmy Graham under contract, Green Bay should let Kendricks hit free agency.