Nov 6, 2011; San Diego, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley (88) after a game in which the Packers defeated San Diego Chargers 45-38 at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
When the Green Bay Packers head in to next season, they are expected to be without tight end Jermichael Finley who is likely playing his last few games in a Packers uniform. Multiple reports indicate that Finley and the team will be parting way at the season’s end.
Per Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel:
"But barring a shocking turn of events in the next month or so, tight end Jermichael Finley is playing his fifth and final season for the team.Sources familiar with the Packers’ thinking say the club not only wants to get rid of Finley but has decided to do exactly that in the off-season.It means that if the Packers cannot find a trade partner, they are prepared to release Finley because of financial, competitive and behavioral reasons.There is no way the Packers will pick up the second half of the two-year, $14 million contract they gave Finley in late February, according to sources.Finley hasn’t performed anywhere near the sixth-best tight end in the National Football League, which is where he ranks in average salary per year at $7 million. An executive in personnel who conducted a full tape study of Finley last week rated him as the 22nd-best tight end."
There was a time when Finley was one of the most promising and talented young tight ends. We seem far removed from those days and the once promising player will be looking for a new job in the offseason.