Packers: What Yosh Nijman second-round tender means

We now have an answer to one of the Green Bay Packers‘ top free agency questions. What would they do with tackle Yosh Nijman?

Nijman is a restricted free agent, leaving the Packers with a few options.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Packers have put a second-round tender on Nijman.

What does this mean?

What Packers using second-round tender means

There are a few different potential outcomes for Nijman and the Packers.

If Nijman signs the tender, he will get a one-year deal worth $4.3 million. He would then become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2023 season.

Here’s where it becomes interesting.

At the start of the new league year later today, teams will be free to negotiate a long-term contract with Nijman. If he agrees and signs an offer sheet, the Packers will have a choice to make.

Green Bay would have the option to match that deal, keeping Nijman on a long-term contract. However, if they declined the opportunity to match, they would lose Nijman but receive a second-round pick as compensation.

So, now the question is whether a team needing a tackle offers Nijman a long-term contract.

By doing so, Green Bay would be left with a choice. Would they match the deal to keep Nijman or let him sign elsewhere and receive a second-round pick in return?

Green Bay had the choice of three restricted free agent tenders.

There is a first-round tender, which is more expensive than the second-rounder but, of course, Green Bay would receive a first-round pick if Nijman ended up signing elsewhere.

The other option was a first-of-right-refusal tender. Had Nijman signed an offer sheet, Green Bay could match the deal but would receive no compensation if they didn’t.

The Packers went for the second-round tender, which perhaps suggests they believe other teams could have interest. Paying for the second-round tender gives Green Bay some protection.

If another team offers him a deal they can’t match, they at least get a second-round pick.