There’s been a lot of discussion about what the Packers plan to do with tight end Jermichael Finley since the middle of the regular season and we’ve reached a big moment in that decision.
Finley is due a $3 million roster bonus on the 15th day of the league year, which falls on Tuesday and that leaves the Packers short on time to make their call. Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the team has expressed to Finley’s agent that they are “uncomfortable” with the tight end’s contract, but there’s no sign that there’s been an ultimatum regarding his spot on the roster.
Finley has a $4.45 million base salary for 2013 and will make $8.25 million overall, a big number for a player who was inconsistent in 2012. Finley’s agent suggested a pay cut would be a possibility, which makes sense with the market unlikely to give him that kind of salary. Staying with the Packers offense would seem to work to Finley’s benefit, but Green Bay could conceivably want more of a cut than Finley’s willing to give.
They’d have to replace Finley, though, and that’s not a sure thing at this point in free agency. That gives both sides reason to work out a way to remain together, which feels like the likeliest outcome at this point.