Green Bay Packers News: Randall Cobb, B.J. Raji
Green Bay Packers defensive end B.J. Raji (90) against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb is one of the league’s most explosive playmakers, and he gives the Packers a whole new dimension when he lines up out of the slot. Jordy Nelson is the star of the talented wide receiver corps around the league’s best quarterback, but Cobb is another incredible weapon in Aaron Rodgers’s arsenal. With James Jones most likely gone this offseason and Jermichael Finley coming off of an incredibly severe injury, Cobb’s importance has only grown. Even though he was injured for most of the 2013 season, he still made his presence felt when health, including hauling in that now-famous, game-winning bomb to help push the Packers in the playoffs.
When asked about a potential contract extension, he said, via the NFL Network’s Dan Hanzus, “Not that I know of. My agent hasn’t mentioned it to me, so I don’t know if there’s been any talks.”
He also added that he would “love” to sign a long-term deal to remain with the Packers, and I have a feeling the 23-year-old Kentucky product will get his wish before his contract year.
I still find it ridiculous that the Green Bay Packers offered B.J. Raji a long-term deal worth $8 million annually, but I find it more ridiculous that he rejected that offer, thinking he’s better than that. Raji hasn’t been good since he beasted on offensive linemen in the 2010 season, and he hasn’t looked like anything resembling a franchise nose tackle. He was horrible last season, and the case can be made that he’s one of the team’s worst starters on defense. An impending free agent this offseason, the Packers need to replace Raji instead of attempting to re-sign him, and it’s clear that Sam Shields is the more important FA to keep. Raji? I’d rather have Louis Nix in the first round.
According to ESPN NFL Nation’s Rob Demovsky, former St. Louis Rams GM and current ESPN analyst Bill Devaney would agree with that sentiment. He told Demovsky, “I’m sure Green Bay’s working hard trying to figure out a way to keep both of these guys, but to me, keeping the corner that has speed and can cover over a defensive tackle that is pretty much just a guy, that’s a no-brainer. You’ve got to keep the corner.”