Corey Linsley – Page 16 – Syndication Server

Packers C Corey Linsley expected to get ‘monster’ deal in free agency

A big payday looms for free agent center Corey Linsley.

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Linsley is one of three offensive linemen – including guard Joe Thuney and offensive tackle Trent Williams – expected to receive “monster deals” at or near the top of their positional markets in free agency this month.

Linsley, the Packers’ starting center for the last seven years, put together an All-Pro season in Green Bay in 2020. He was also the highest-graded player at the center position at Pro Football Focus. A career-best season in a contract year has Linsley, 29, set up well to cash in once the market opens later this month.

Both Linsley and the Packers seem to understand that his time playing in Green Bay is likely coming to an end, based on the financial situation of the Packers and Linsley’s expected market.

“Finding a way to bring him back would be ideal, but at the level of compensation he’s at, he’s earned that,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said last week, via the team’s official site.

Eight different centers currently make $10 million or more per year on their deals. Linsley, who made $8.5 million per year on his last deal with the Packers, will almost certainly join them.

Ryan Kelly of the Indianapolis Colts leads the way. His deal averages $12.4 million per year and includes over $25 million fully guaranteed, per Over the Cap.

The Packers still need to shed $12 million or so in salary to get under the projected cap floor by the start of the new league year, severely complicating the team’s ability to retain free agents. Linsley’s expectedly strong market will almost certainly ensure he’s playing elsewhere in 2021.

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4 pending free agents the Chargers should tamper with

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lists four pending free agents that Los Angeles should start negotiating with next week.

The NFL’s tampering period begins next week, allowing the Chargers and the rest of the league to start negotiating with free agents. While these negotiations can take place, teams can’t officially sign a player until March 17.

Los Angeles has quite a few needs to address this offseason. With that being said, here are four key free agents that the Bolts should be tampering with when the period opens up.

Potential Dolphins free agent OL target expected to hit open market

The Dolphins have made plenty of aggressive investments into becoming a team that can control the trenches under the direction of Brian Flores and Chris Grier over the past two years. And there has been a direct correlation between how much Miami is willing to spend in dollars and how much success they’ve had dictating play up front. Miami charged out the gates hard in 2020 and paid a number of massive contracts to defensive front-seven players — and the unit obliged by transforming into a top-6 scoring defense in 2020. (Never mind that the unit was 1st in points allowed entering Week 17.)

But Miami’s investments into the offense side of the line were largely made in the NFL Draft. Michael Deiter in 2019 and Austin Jackson, Robert Hunt and Solomon Kindley in 2020 brought plenty of youth to Miami’s offensive line — but the team still has yet to see dividends paid out proportionately.

Perhaps that is to be expected with the nature of the draft. But, at the very least, Miami’s patience is expected to be wearing thin — this is a team that in many ways appears poised to contend. Which is what makes the report that Green Bay Packers center Corey Linsley is expected to hit free agency next month. Linsley, who has played with the Packers since 2014 and was named an All-Pro center in 2020 with the Packers, can be a significant addition this offseason for someone.

“The expectation is that Linsley will be playing elsewhere in 2021 and the Packers will be looking to replace their starting center from the past seven seasons.

While there is time to work out a deal with Linsley, it seems unlikely to happen. The Packers had all season to engage in talks with Linsley, and the season ended almost exactly one month ago.” – Bill Huber, Sports Illustrated

Could Linsley be a fit for the Dolphins? Of course. He’d be an upgrade over Ted Karras in the heart of the line, but Miami will need to tread carefully here. Linsley will be leaving a team led by an MVP quarterback in Aaron Rodgers and Linsley will be 30 years old before the start of the 2021 season. The Dolphins would need to be certain that he has significant life left in his legs and that he will be worth the contract he’s going to cost. Because the Dolphins learned the hard way in 2020 what paying a premium in free agency for offensive lineman will cost — the Dolphins signed Ereck Flowers to a 3-year, $30M contract and Flowers struggled to live up to that price point throughout the entire season.

Yes, Flowers was a good leader for the unit. But his play was average at best — and Miami will have a hard time transitioning away from the guaranteed money they gave him for this season; making him a likely returner up front.

If Miami pays big for Linsley and gets less than what they paid for, the Dolphins will find themselves in familiar positioning: overpaying for underperforming talent. Only the Dolphins can take inventory on Linsley’s forecast moving forward and make a judgement call. They’ll likely be interested. But cost could, or rather should, be prohibitive here to finding a potential agreement.

2021 Free Agency: Chargers could make splash by signing Corey Linsley

The All-Pro center would be a massive addition to the Chargers offensive line.

The Chargers’ main priority this offseason will be to address the dreadful offensive line.

General manager Tom Telesco is well aware of it and he would be wise to be aggressive during the free agency period to acquire players that have proven themselves at a high level.

Packers center Corey Linsley would be a massive signing that would have the arrow pointing upwards for the unit. Linsley is not expected to be re-signed by Green Bay, according to Sports Illustrated’s Bill Hubert.

Voted first-team All-Pro and rated Pro Football Focus’ No. 1 center from 2020, Linsley didn’t allow a sack or a tackle at or behind the line of scrimmage vs. the run, according to Sports Info Solutions.

To go along with that, among centers with at least 500 snaps, he had the third-lowest blown-block rate at 0.6 percent. He’s disciplined on the field, too, as he wasn’t penalized.

Linsley is also a strong run-blocker, ranking in the 84th percentile in the percentage of positively graded blocks and the 85th percentile when it comes to avoiding negatives, per Pro Football Focus.

Not only is he a great player, he’s an even better person. Linsley was the team’s nominee for prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

With Dan Feeney set to be free agent, it creates a glaring hole at center. I’ve said before, even if Feeney is re-signed, he could serve as a key depth option at both guard and center.

With a projected $34 million in cap space and more possibly coming depending on potential cuts, L.A. would be sitting pretty to acquire the 29-year old. Linsley would then reunite with his former teammate, Bryan Bulaga.

How Chargers can fix offensive line this offseason

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez rebuilds Los Angeles’ offensive line.

I feel like a broken record saying this, but the time is now for the Chargers to revamp the offensive line in the offseason.

After putting it off year after year, general manager Tom Telesco is finally realizing that the line is a glaring issue that needs to be resolved.

“There’s a lot of improvement that needs to be made in that area,” Telesco said about the team’s offensive line at his end-of-season press conference.

Numbers don’t lie. Quarterback Justin Herbert was pressured on 27.6% of his attempts in 2020, the seventh-highest rate among QBs with at least 200 attempts, according to SportRadar.

Meanwhile, Pro Football Focus had the unit ranked the worst in the NFL.

Injuries hindered tackle Bryan Bulaga and guard Trai Turner. Meanwhile, there was inconsistent play from center Dan Feeney, guard Forrest Lamp and tackle Sam Tevi.

At the moment, Feeney, Lamp and Tevi are slated to be free agents. Turner is a potential cut candidate to free up some cap space after his disappointing season. Bulaga is likely safe, but there are some serious durability concerns.

The bottom line is that if Los Angeles wants to have a high octane offense moving forward with Herbert at the helm, they need to get better in the trenches.

Starting with the in-house options, I believe the team loves Feeney, Lamp and Tevi. I don’t feel comfortable with anyone of them in a starting role moving forward, but I believe for the sake of continuity, they’re good enough to be brought back as depth pieces.

As for Turner, I elect to move on from him to clear up $11.5 million in cap space.

Looking ahead to free agency, I am going all in for the best interior free agent offensive linemen available. All eyes are on Brandon Scherff, Joe Thuney, Corey Linsley.

In this scenario, I’m able to sign Linsley to fill the center spot.

Looking to the second tier of free agents, my attention is shifted to Nick Easton, Larry Warford, Jon Feliciano and Denzelle Good.

I sign to Warford to serve as the starting right guard.

Moving on to the NFL draft, my focus is landing a plug-and-play tackle and guard in the first two rounds.

On the clock at pick No. 13, the Chargers land USC’s Alijah Vera-Tucker. Vera-Tucker projects best as a guard at the next level, but his tape from 2020 tells me that he can thrive on the outside.

Fast forward to pick No. 45, Los Angeles takes Notre Dame’s Aaron Banks. A proven guard, Banks’ pass protection will help secure the inside of a line early on and he will add value as a run blocker with his power.

The work doesn’t stop there. After addressing the cornerback and edge defender position with the team’s two third-round picks, I add a high upside player in Clemson’s Jackson Carman to kick off Day 3.

The 6-foot-5 and 335 pounder has the athleticism, strong hands, leverage in pass protection and mauling mentality in the running game. Carman can play tackle at the next level, but he has the skill set to play guard, as well. That versatility is a plus for L.A.

My new line, from left to right, would look something like: Vera-Tucker, Banks, Linsley, Warford, Bulaga. Depth includes Feeney, Lamp, Tevi, Carman, Storm Norton, Trey Pipkins and Scott Quessenberry.

If the Chargers want to get the most out of Herbert for many years, they must keep him as clean as possible and a line like this can go a long way.

Making the case for and against the Packers re-signing C Corey Linsley

Breaking down the case for and against the Packers re-signing free agent center Corey Linsley.

The Green Bay Packers have an All-Pro center about to hit free agency.

Corey Linsley, a fifth-round pick of the Packers in 2014, enjoyed his finest season as a professional in 2020, earning first-team All-Pro honors as the center of the NFL’s No. 1 ranked scoring offense.

Linsley has started the last seven seasons for the Packers at center. His current contract will expire next month, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Here’s the case for and against the Packers re-signing Linsley:

The case for

Linsley might be the most reliable center in football. His season grades at Pro Football Focus compare favorably with the best in the game over the past seven seasons. This season was his crown jewel. Over 13 regular season games in 2020, he allowed just a single sack and didn’t commit a penalty while producing the top run-blocking grade and third-best pass-blocking grade at his position at PFF. He rightfully earned All-Pro honors.

Linsley might turn 30 in July, but he’s aged well, especially within Matt LaFleur’s scheme. Always sound in pass protection, he’s transformed into a true asset in the run game, displaying quickness and technique on reach blocks and combo blocks in the zone run scheme.

Linsley is highly trusted by Aaron Rodgers to help set protections, ward off blitzes and get the Packers into the right looks pre-snap. That chemistry between center and quarterback is valuable.

Overall, the Packers were arguably the best pass-blocking offensive line in football in 2020. Letting Linsley go would hurt Green Bay’s chances of repeating the feat in 2021. Finally, he’s both tough on the field and a true representative of the franchise off it. He’s exactly the kind of player and person you want in your offensive line room and locker room.

The case against

Linsley is almost 30, has battled through back and knee injuries recently and plays a low-value position, and the Packers have in-house replacements and precious little cap space. Linsley exited a handful of games and missed three games with injuries in 2020, and the Packers handled the shuffle just fine. Elgton Jenkins, a second-round pick in 2019, could easily move to center and be a Pro Bowl caliber player. Lucas Patrick also has experience at the position, and the team developed sixth-round pick Jake Hanson all year on the practice squad.

The Packers have to shed a bunch of salaries just to get under the projected salary cap before the start of the new league year next month, so a third contract for a center is probably low on the team’s priority list. Would they love to have him back? Absolutely. Can they spend on Linsley and still fit all the puzzle pieces together? That’s a tough sell. If he signs elsewhere, a compensatory pick in 2022 is likely.

Projection: Departs in free agency

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Packers free agent review: C Corey Linsley

Reviewing the free agency profile of Green Bay Packers center Corey Linsley.

The Green Bay Packers are going into the 2021 offseason needing to make decisions on a number of important unrestricted free agents. Over the next few weeks, we’ll review the individual situation for all the major players with expiring contracts.

First up: Corey Linsley, the Packers’ All-Pro center.

All-Pro center Corey Linsley hasn’t heard From Packers about re-signing

Center Corey Linsley hasn’t had any contract talks with the Packers. The All-Pro will be an unrestricted free agent.

There are multiple Green Bay Packers who don’t know if they will be back next season. All-Pro center Corey Linsley is no exception. During his Monday press conference, Linsley said there have been no talks between his agent and the organization about another contract. If Linsley doesn’t return to Green Bay in 2021, Sunday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will serve as Linsley’s final game as a member of the Packers.

This came just one day after a somber Aaron Rodgers brought up the uncertainty about the current group of pending free agents for Green Bay. Linsley headlines a list that also includes Pro-Bowl running back Aaron Jones.

“A lot of guys futures that are, you know, uncertain, myself included,” Rodgers said. “That’s what’s sad about it most … getting this far. Obviously, there’s going to be an end to it at some point, whether we make it past this one or not. Just the uncertainties, is tough, and the finality of it.”

2020 was the final year of a three-year, $25.5 million contract extension Linsley signed at the end of the 2017 season. Linsley will have a ton of leverage when it comes to his next negotiation. He’s arguably the best center in the NFL, and he will command more than what he previously signed for. However, heading into an offseason with limited cap space, the Packers may not be potential suitors.

“My agent hasn’t really had any talks with the Packers,” said Linsley. “That’s obviously not to say that something couldn’t happen, but up to this point, it’s kind of been complimentary but nothing of substance. So, you know, we’ll move forward with that.”

Linsley was the top player at his position, according to Pro Football Focus. In 880 snaps, he did not record a single penalty. In 530 snaps in pass protection, he allowed just one sack. As one of the most athletic centers in the league, Linsley was also highly proficient as a run blocker. It’s no stretch to say he was a key contributor to Green Bay’s eighth-ranked rushing offense.

“I feel like I put out some good film and did the best that I could this year. And hopefully, if the Packers don’t re-sign me, then hopefully another team will,” Linsley said.

There’s very little confidence in Linsley’s sentiment about returning to Green Bay in 2021. The fact that he even went as far as to say his agent and the team haven’t engaged in any discussions about another contract is discouraging, to say the least. The Packers broke a longstanding tradition of not signing players to third contracts when they extended tackle David Bakhtiari in December. Now strapped for cash, Green Bay may not have the capacity financially to retain Linsley.

Since being a fifth-round pick of the Packers back in 2014, Linsley has started in 99 regular-season games and 11 playoff games over the last seven seasons. When Linsley was battling a knee injury that forced him to miss three games in 2020, Elgton Jenkins filled in at center. The Packers selected Jenkins in the second round two drafts ago after he started all 13 games at center for Mississippi State as a senior. The Packers could choose to move Jenkins to center full-time or have someone else replace Linsley, but that would still leave a big hole along the interior of the offensive line.

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Packers C Corey Linsley named first-team All-Pro in 2020

Green Bay Packers center Corey Linsley was named a first-team All-Pro for the 2020 NFL season by the Associated Press.

Linsley, who was the highest-graded center at Pro Football Focus this season, received 18 of the possible 50 votes for first-team All-Pro. While Linsley was the first-team center, Ryan Kelly of the Indianapolis Colts and Frank Ragnow of the Detroit Lions shared second-team honors.

Linsley, who didn’t make the Pro Bowl, is a first-time All-Pro.

Despite missing three games with a knee injury, Linsley still only allowed one sack and four total pressures over 734 total snaps and 437 pass-blocking snaps, per PFF. He was also the site’s highest-graded run-blocker, a testament to his impact in creating holes in the wide-zone run scheme for running backs Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams and A.J. Dillon in 2020.

Linsley only allowed a pressure in three of his 13 games played. He was the anchor to an offensive line that allowed a sack percentage of just 3.6 on Aaron Rodgers, the best of his career as a starting quarterback.

Linsley also produced a run-blocking grade of 70.0 or better in 10 of his 13 games.

A fifth-round pick of the Packers in 2014, Linsley has been the starting center in Green Bay for the past seven seasons. Now 29, he is an unrestricted free agent following this season.

The Packers named Linsley the team’s nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award this year, highlighting his work off the field.

The Packers had four first-team All-Pros and six total All-Pros in 2020.

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PFF: Chargers predicted to sign four players of top 100 free agents

The Chargers are predicted to re-sign one of their own and three offensive players.

For the most, Chargers already have a talented roster in place, but there are certain positions that could be cleaned up.

Therefore, general manager Tom Telesco will likely dip into the free agency pool to address them, like he did last offseason when he signed four notable players to contracts. Telesco could have plenty of intriguing options to choose from.

Pro Football Focus released their annual list of the league’s top 100 free agents, where they gave a brief summary of each player and who they predict them to sign with this offseason.

PFF connected Los Angeles with four players. The first one is one of their own, tight end Hunter Henry.

He is a productive and capable tight end with plenty of tools to be an excellent receiver in any offense. Henry has the size to box defenders out underneath, the savvy to find holes in a defense and enough route-running skills to separate over the middle.

The next one listed is Packers center Corey Linsley. With Dan Feeney slated to hit the market and Mike Pouncey’s career up in the air due to injury concerns, L.A. could afford to revamp the position with one of the league’s best.

Linsley has been outstanding in pass protection this season, allowing just four pressures on 437 pass-blocking attempts in 2020. He is also a strong run-blocker, ranking in the 84th percentile in the percentage of positively graded blocks and the 85th percentile when it comes to avoiding negatives.

The Bolts address the offensive line, specifically the left tackle position, with another veteran in Steelers’ Alejandro Villenueva. Sam Tevi’s contract is up and there’s a chance that the team could let him walk, despite him performing well as a blindside blocker.

There’s immense value in solid, mid-tier offensive linemen, and that’s exactly what Villanueva has been throughout his career. He’s graded between 74.0 and 82.0 in each of his last five seasons; he ranks in the 54th percentile in PFF pass-blocking grade and the 46th percentile in pass-blocking grade on true pass sets during that time.

Finally, PFF predicted Los Angeles to sign Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett to serve as the backup to Justin Herbert. Tyrod Taylor will be a free agent and might find an opportunity elsewhere. There’s the possibility of letting Easton Stick fill the role. They have been grooming him to be their backup since they drafted him in the fifth round in 2019.

Brissett has PFF grades of 62.4 in 2017 and 59.2 in 2019 as a starter, showing that he’s likely a high-end backup. Stylistically, Brissett has landed more on the game manager end of the spectrum, taking good care of the ball but also having a low percentage of big-time throws. When adding some rushing value to the mix, it’s clear that Brissett can be called upon to win a few games, but he hasn’t looked like a quarterback who is capable of carrying a team.

Two other Chargers are mentioned and PFF sees them signing elsewhere. Edge defender Melvin Ingram is predicted to sign with the Lions while linebacker Denzel Perryman is pegged to the Packers.