Packers: Jets interest a sign Corey Linsley won’t be returning

Once the Green Bay Packers worked out a new deal with Aaron Jones, the future of Corey Linsley became clear.

While Packers fans were already preparing for the team to enter 2021 with a new starting center, Jones getting a big contract almost made it feel certain. With limited cap space, re-signing Linsley becomes a challenge.

According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, the New York Jets are “expected to have interest” in signing Linsley, another sign the Packers are likely going to be unable to bring him back.

You only have to look at the two teams’ cap situations to understand why.

While we don’t yet know the exact numbers with Jones’ new deal, Over The Cap’s latest projections have Green Bay $2 million over the salary cap. By Wednesday’s deadline they’ll be under the cap, but likely not by much.

The Jets, on the other hand, rank near the top in the NFL for cap space. They currently have around $68.43 million available, which is particularly impressive in a year with a reduced salary cap. If they offer Linsley a big contract, it’s unlikely the Packers will be able to match it.

And don’t expect the Jets to be the only team interested. According to Peter Schrager of Fox Sports, the Arizona Cardinals are a team to watch for Linsley.

Simply put, there’s going to be a lot of interest in the first-team All-Pro, which is unsurprising. With many teams needing offensive line help, you won’t find many interior linemen better than Linsley.

Unless he is willing to take a lower offer to remain in Green Bay, Linsley will be playing his football elsewhere in 2021. The Packers will have to move on, but fans will always be thankful for the great run Linsley has had for over half a decade in Green Bay.