The Green Bay Packers shopped around the receiver market in free agency but eventually passed on spending big money at the position.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Packers “looked into some of the top receivers,” including Robby Anderson, but the team went in another direction – eventually signing Devin Funchess on a cheap, one-year deal – once the prices ascended out of their comfort range.
Anderson, a legit speedster who could have added a dangerous vertical element to the Packers offense, signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Carolina Panthers. It includes an $8 million signing bonus.
Meanwhile, Funchess’ cap hit in 2020 will be just over $2 million, and the deal is loaded with incentives.
The Packers were also reportedly interested in veteran Emmanuel Sanders, but he was in demand and eventually signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Saints. The same goes for tight end Austin Hooper, who agreed to a four-year deal worth over $40 million with the Cleveland Browns, making him the highest-paid tight end in NFL history.
GM Brian Gutekunst could have easily signed one of the top pass-catchers and immediately bolstered the weaponry in the passing game around Aaron Rodgers, but he chose against paying top dollar for one player and instead added one veteran at three need positons: Funchess at receiver, Christian Kirksey at linebacker and Rick Wagner at offensive tackle. It was a thrifty approach for a decision-maker pushed up against the cap in 2020 and needing to re-sign several important players in the next year.
Also, the draft could be historically deep at receiver, which likely aided in the Packers’ decision to be frugal at the position in free agency.
The Packers required a big jolt in the passing game. Unwilling to pay up for a top available veteran, Gutekunst must now hope Funchess can provide an upgrade on Geronimo Allison and the draft can supply an instant contributor and future difference-maker.
