Green Bay Packers: 3 Players You May Want Cut But Won’t Be
By Paul Bretl
Whether it be due to poor performance, possible cap savings, or a combination of the two, there are always a few players each season that are on the radar of fans as potential cut candidates. And this year is no different for the Green Bay Packers.
Based on the criteria above, I could see why some would think — or maybe “hope” is the correct term — that each of these three players mentioned could be cut. But I’m here to tell you that they won’t be.
Green Bay Packers Punter JK Scott
Anytime a team spends a draft pick on a punter — especially in the fifth round where quality talent can still be found — expectations are going to be high. Unfortunately, through his first three seasons, JK Scott has not lived up to those expectations—or at least not consistently.
Last season he ranked 30th in net return average, 20th in punts inside the 20, and 23rd in fair catches. He was around the middle of the pack in average punt distance, but again, the issue has been consistency. And when Scott struggles, he really struggles.
As a result, the Green Bay Packers brought in some competition in Ryan Winslow, who was on the practice squad for some time last season. On experience alone, Scott has a distinct advantage, with Winslow attempting only six career punts, all of which came in 2019.
It’s also worth noting that oftentimes when Scott has struggled, it has occurred in poor or cold weather. That, of course, won’t be the case during the summertime. I also tend to believe that Green Bay will let Scott finish out the final year of his rookie deal under new special teams coach Maurice Drayton with the hope that he will find that elusive consistency under some new tutelage.
Moving on from Scott would save the Packers $920,000 in cap space. Sure, that’s something, but I can’t imagine it’s enough to be the deciding factor in cutting him.