Randall Cobb is another young player that’s sure to have suitors around the league knocking down his door. Only if the Packer’s let it get that far, of course. According to ESPN,
He will have the chance to test the free-agent market beginning next Tuesday, though the Packers have exclusive negotiating rights with Cobb that run until Saturday afternoon, at which point other teams can speak with him.
That approach worked last season with a different Packers free agent.
“A year ago, the Packers eschewed using the franchise tag on cornerback Sam Shields, and they signed him to a four-year, $39 million deal ($12.5 million signing bonus) after his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, was able to start talking to other teams but before free agency officially began,”wrote Jason Wilde of ESPNWisconsin.com. “Perhaps Cobb’s negotiations will follow the same course.
“Or, perhaps he’ll make it to the market, and a club flush with salary-cap room – such as Jacksonville ($68 million), Oakland ($55 million) or Indianapolis ($45 million) – will make him an offer he can’t refuse.”
Clearly the Packers are hoping to retain the young wide receiver, who just completed his fourth and most productive season in which he racked up nearly 100 catches and 12 total TD receptions. However, opting not to franchise the player leaves the organization just a small time frame to get a deal done before he becomes vulnerable to leaving for the open market.
With the threat of Reggie Wayne leaving Indy, Andrew Luck and the Colts are already preparing their pitch to Cobb. Whether it’s Rodgers, Luck, or some other lucky QB – the team would be receiving a wide-out that they can build an offense around in the prime of his career.
The Packer’s gamble with Shields last year ultimately paid off, stay tuned if it’s the same story with Cobb this time around.