Green Bay Packers: Predicting the Fate of Every 2021 Free Agent

Let the 2020 Season Decide

Corey Linsley C

Linsley is on the last year of his 3-year, $25 million contract, and currently, he’s the 12th highest-paid center in the NFL. It’s an appropriate price for Linsley in his current form, but he’ll turn 30 just prior to the 2021 season. Elgton Jenkins is an ascending talent and Lucas Patrick is waiting for another opportunity. Either of them could assume future center duties along with rookie Jake Hanson.

If all goes according to plan for Linsley this year, the Green Bay Packers could offer him a team-friendly contract that keeps Aaron Rodgers upright while he finishes his time in Green Bay, and gives Jordan Love some security as he begins his career. Linsley will likely test free agency but could re-sign with the Green Bay Packers if he doesn’t find what he’s looking for.

Devin Funchess WR

Funchess was brought in on a one-year prove-it deal, worth $2.5 million. He’ll likely operate as the no. 3 receiver and push Lazard for the no. 2 job. He’ll get the chance to earn a second contract with the Green Bay Packers.

Raven Greene S/LB

Greene wasn’t overly impressive in his two appearances in 2019, but he’ll get another chance to prove himself in 2020. If he can effectively stop the run, and cover skilled players from the nickel linebacker/dime safety position, the Packers will bring him back on a multi-year contract

Darrius Shepherd WR

I’ve been a fan of Shepherd since day one. He was a preseason star for the Packers in 2019 but a dropped pass near the endzone against Detroit ruined the trust he’d built with Rodgers and the coaching staff. He’s a young man who made a mistake during his first opportunity. I hope he gets another chance to showcase his skills, both in the slot and as a returner.

Treyvon Hester DL

Hester had his fifteen minutes of fame while he was active for the Eagles during their 2018 wildcard game against the Bears. He tipped Cody Parkey’s potential game-winning field goal, ultimately causing the “double-doink”. Past that, Hester’s on-field skills are relatively unknown. While he’s been active for 43 games, making 2 starts in his 3-year career, he hasn’t been very impactful. He’ll be competing with Montravius Adams, Willington Previlon, and Gerald Willis for the 5th DL spot.

Gerald Willis DL

Willis went undrafted in 2019 and signed with the Ravens. After being released prior to the regular season, he was picked up by the Miami Dolphins, worked his way onto their active roster, and managed two appearances. Both Willis and Hester are athletic big men that will be given the opportunity to prove that they belong on an NFL roster.

The Green Bay Packers have a formidable list of contracts expiring after the 2020 season. With just over a projected $30 million in cap space to not only re-sign their own, but make additions during free agency and sign their 2021 draft class, the Packers will have a lot of tough decisions to make.

Step one is deciding which players are worth re-signing. I wish we could keep all 35 of these players, but that’s simply not realistic. A lot of those players have already sealed their fate with the Packers, but the 2020 season will play a big role in the decisions the Green Bay Packers make next offseason.