Re-sign or Let Go and Prediction: Packers WR Randall Cobb
By Paul Bretl
The Green Bay Packers have 14 of their own unrestricted free agents to make decisions on either before or during NFL free agency.
Over the next few weeks, my “Re-sign or Let go & Prediction” series is back, where I will be taking a look at each of the Packers’ unrestricted free agents, and examining why Green Bay may try to re-sign them, why they would let them walk, and then I’ll make a prediction.
Up next is wide receiver, Randall Cobb. If you’ve missed any of the other articles in this series, you can find them all below.
Why the Packers would re-sign Randall Cobb
As I wrote about recently, the Green Bay Packers currently have a very young wide receiver room at the moment. Under contract for 2023 are four second-year players, which includes Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Samori Toure, and Bo Melton, along with 2020 UDFA Jeff Cotton. Watson looks like a soon-to-be star, and Doubs had his moments as a rookie, but the other three are unknowns, not to mention that with young players, there is likely to be the rollercoaster ride of up and down play.
Whether it’s Cobb or another experienced player, the Packers need to add a veteran to this group in 2023 to help provide some stability. Cobb would catch 71% of his 48 targets last season at 12.3 yards per catch with a touchdown. He was particularly effective on third downs, catching nine of 11 passes, with eight of those receptions moving the chains. Throughout his time in Green Bay, he’s also been a go-to option in the red zone as well and a key member of the locker room.
With limited salary cap space, Cobb won’t break the bank either, with Over the Cap projecting that he will earn $1.9 million per year on his next deal. If Aaron Rodgers does return, one would think that Cobb will be back as well. However, even without Rodgers, there is still merit in re-signing Cobb. Regardless of whether it’s Rodgers or Jordan Love under center, Cobb can be that safety net in the passing game.
Why the Packers won’t re-sign Randall Cobb
The big reason, which I already alluded to, is that Cobb’s future very much feels tied to what Rodgers is doing. If Rodgers retires or ends up on a new team, Cobb could very well do the same.
From a football perspective, while Cobb can be a reliable option, which is certainly valuable, and Green Bay needs more of it, the receiver position did also largely underwhelm in 2022. In short, the Packers need a more dynamic output from members of this position group not named Watson. In four of the last five seasons, Cobb has not played more than 13 games due to injuries, and in the last three seasons, he’s averaging a modest 12 yards per catch.
Again, a veteran presence is needed, but the Packers also need added playmaking as well. If that ability takes precedent with Brian Gutekunst, he may look elsewhere as he builds out the depth of this position group.
Prediction: the Packers won’t re-sign Randall Cobb
Just as I wrote when discussing Marcedes Lewis’ future with the Packers, what Cobb does in 2023 feels tied to Rodgers. Although we do not know for certain which direction Rodgers will go in 2023, him playing elsewhere feels like the most likely outcome. As I wrote in a recent article, neither Rodgers nor the Packers want to publicly be perceived as the one actively trying to end this relationship, but both seem okay with that being the outcome. So if Rodgers is playing elsewhere this upcoming season, then I expect Cobb to join him.