Green Bay Packers: Don’t Expect Greg Olsen in Titletown

While on the surface signing the recently released Greg Olsen may seem appealing, fans shouldn’t expect him to end up with the Green Bay Packers.

When we think of positions of need this offseason for the Green Bay Packers to address, the first few that come to mind are inside linebacker, wide receiver, interior defensive lineman, and even tackle depending on what happens with Bryan Bulaga in free agency. However, one position that has flown under the radar is the tight end.

While I certainly believe that the Packers are in good hands with Jace Sternberger who has been called a “difference maker” by Marcedes Lewis and a “matchup problem” by GM Brian Gutekunst this offseason, Green Bay simply needs more bodies.

Lewis is a pending free agent, although he has said he would like to return, while Jimmy Graham is all but gone since the Packers can save $8 million in cap space by cutting him. But it does look like Robert Tonyan will be back since he is an exclusive rights free agent.

So, given that Green Bay has carried four tight ends the last few seasons and that they utilized 12 personnel quite frequently under Matt LaFleur, adding two additional tight ends to join Sternberger and Tonyan is likely on the to-do list this offseason.

Considering how difficult the transition is from college to the NFL for tight ends given that they have to essentially know the responsibilities and to a certain degree the techniques of both offensive lineman and receivers, having one of those open roster spots go to a veteran is almost a must in my opinion.

As I alluded to above, I think Sternberger is the real deal and he will see much more playing time in 2020. And while having the recently released Greg Olsen along side of him as the second or third option could be appealing, it also doesn’t seem very likely.

Although Olsen would provide Sternberger with a fantastic mentor to learn from and for a number of years he was one of the best tight ends in the NFL, at this point in his career his durability is a question and unfortunately, he’s just not the same player that he once was.

After three consecutive 1,000 yard seasons from 2014 to 2016, Olsen would appear in just 16 total games the following two seasons combined. But to his credit he would play in 14 games in 2019, however his stats were underwhelming with only 11.5 yards per catch and just two touchdowns. Both of which were worse than Graham, albeit Olsen had to contend with below average quarterback play.

We also have to wonder what a one-year deal for Olsen would cost? His previous contract with Carolina was for two-years with an average annual value of just over $8.5 million. While he may not fetch that much in 2020, he could end up in the ball park, which is just too much for Green Bay to be sinking into the tight end position once again. Especially considering the other needs that they have.

Over the last few seasons the Green Bay Packers have experimented with veteran tight ends including Martellus Bennett, Lance Kendricks, and Graham, none of which have worked out particularly well. And if Green Bay is going to add a veteran presence – which they should – bringing back Lewis who will be in the $2 million range seems much more likely.

Outside of the top tight ends in the NFL like Travis Kelce and George Kittle, it is hard to justify spending significant cap space on that position.

So in regards to the soon to be 35-year-old Greg Olsen, this just doesn’t seem like a path the Packers should be going down again. And who knows, maybe he ends up retiring from the NFL and begins his broadcasting career instead.