The Packers made their Hall of Famer-to-future Hall of Famer quarterback baton pass because they planned far ahead in 2005, drafting Aaron Rodgers as Brett Favre‘s heir apparent. Green Bay has made noise on the quarterback front this year, with the team’s Jordan Love interest being the most recent example. Rodgers has said he wants to play into his 40s, though, and Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller notes a successor is not viewed as a must in this draft. Rodgers, 36, is under contract through 2023 and has received a Pro Bowl invite in every season in which he’s played more than nine games since 2010. The Packers are thin at backup quarterback, however, with only UDFAs Tim Boyle and Manny Wilkins on the roster behind Rodgers. It would stand to reason Brian Gutekunst will explore the addition of a developmental player to fill that role.
Moving to some AFC North matters, here is the latest on the North divisions:
- James Conner has fared reasonably well as Le’Veon Bell‘s successor, landing on the 2018 Pro Bowl roster and totaling 20 touchdowns in 23 games over the past two seasons. But he has battled injuries in multiple years. Despite the running back being a Pittsburgh native, The Athletic’s Ed Bouchette does not see the Steelers exploring an extension for the contract-year starter (subscription required). Third-year back Jaylen Samuels and second-year cog Benny Snell — each a Day 3 pick — reside as Conner’s backups, pointing to a possible addition at the position in the upcoming draft.
- Despite giving B.J. Finney a second-round RFA tender last year, the Steelers did not make an effort to re-sign the guard in free agency, Bouchette adds. Finney defected to the Seahawks on a two-year, $8MM deal. Either sliding Stefen Wisniewski into the recently retired Ramon Foster‘s left guard spot or moving starting right tackle Matt Feiler to that position may be on the table, Bouchette adds. Foster’s 145 starts mark the fifth-most by a Steelers offensive lineman, so the franchise will be trudging into new territory next season.
- Viewed as a landing spot for one of this draft’s top tackles, the Browns are doing their homework. They had planned to make Georgia alum Andrew Thomas one of their “30” visits, per Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com, but the NFL nixed pre-draft visits early in the process because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Browns instead conducted a video-chat session with the first-round talent. The Browns, who hold the No. 10 overall pick, have not addressed their left tackle need. They restructured Chris Hubbard‘s deal, however, putting the embattled right tackle in position to keep his job. Thomas saw time at both left and right tackle with the Bulldogs. Thomas said, via Cabot, he’s spoken to seven or eight teams — mostly those with top-10 picks.
“They restructured Chris Hubbard‘s deal, however, putting the embattled right tackle in position to keep his job.”
Uh, not happening, especially after signing Conklin.
I came here to say the same thing. Hubbard already lost his job, and he won’t just be moving to the left side either. The restructure saved his roster spot and that’s it.
Steele’s please draft Jalen Hurts, he’s going to be a fun QB in a few years and under Big Ben and Mike Tomlin he would be great
No. Just no.
I mean if you get him in the 4th or 5th round as a development guy why not.
I’m sure some team will draft him higher. But why not. Use a day 3 pick on him. Upside is there.
Time to find the ‘heir apparent’ for Rodgers. Seems more concerned in being a commercial star than he cares about being a football player and has since winning a super bowl.
Won’t be one in this draft by the time the packers draft….so no…it’s not time.
We don’t know that as Rodgers himself wasn’t suppose to be there the year they got him . I agree don’t force a pick but if one drops why not
what I mean is past the top 3 (herbert, burrows and tua) there isn’t a franchise qb in this draft and I guarantee you NONE of them will be around when the packers pick.
Tom Brady went in round 6. Never say never. Good scouting can find that diamond in the rough.
His commercials are just awful, too.
That smarmy agent has to work so hard to carry Aaron “Petrified Tree Bark” Rodgers in those commercials and they are still terrible despite his Herculean efforts.
Said the same thing with dalvin cook I don’t see how Conner is replaceable. I get he’s got a great story and work ethic to get where he is today but he can’t be a workhorse back and is going to be paid in the top 10 of running backs with the extension most likely
Think you meant “irreplaceable”…and I agree with you
Rodgers could have gone #1 overall instead of Smith. His fall was shocking. QBs aren’t falling much these days, quite the opposite. The only yr I can think of is the trash yr with Geno and EJ Manuel. Neither with a round 1 grade.