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Packers’ three worst contracts entering the 2019 season

By Freddie Boston

GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 02: Jimmy Graham #80 of the Green Bay Packers avoids being tackled by Tre Boston #33 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of a game at Lambeau Field on December 2, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 02: Jimmy Graham #80 of the Green Bay Packers avoids being tackled by Tre Boston #33 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of a game at Lambeau Field on December 2, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – NOVEMBER 04: Dont’a Hightower #54 of the New England Patriots attempts to tackle Jimmy Graham #80 of the Green Bay Packers during the first half at Gillette Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – NOVEMBER 04: Dont’a Hightower #54 of the New England Patriots attempts to tackle Jimmy Graham #80 of the Green Bay Packers during the first half at Gillette Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Jimmy Graham

Three years, $30 million ($11 million guaranteed)

The Green Bay Packers took a risk when they signed Jimmy Graham, as doing so required giving him a three-year deal worth $10 million per year. Graham turns 33 years old this season, but still has two years remaining on his contract.

Graham’s performances in his first season with the Packers didn’t meet high expectations, with Graham putting up 636 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Those numbers could be a lot worse, of course. But consider that, according to Over The Cap, Graham has a higher average salary than any other tight end in the league. For the money the Packers are paying, they need Graham to be a difference maker. After dominating in the red zone in 2017 with the Seattle Seahawks with 10 receiving touchdowns, Graham didn’t offer much in the red zone for the Packers.

This makes the 2019 season a big one for Graham. If he doesn’t improve, the Packers could decide to move on in the spring. If they cut Graham in 2020, they’ll have a $3.67 million dead cap hit, according to Over The Cap.

But after Brian Gutekunst made Graham one of his first big signings as Packers general manager, the team will need him to live up to his contract in 2019.

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