Tag: Devin Funchess

Packers noncommittal about WR Devin Funchess returning in 2021

Both Nathaniel Hackett and Brian Gutekunst passed on saying for sure that Devin Funchess would be in Green Bay to start 2021.

Veteran wide receiver Devin Funchess remains under contract after opting out of the 2020 season, but the Green Bay Packers were mostly noncommittal about him returning and playing for the team in 2021.

Both offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and general manager Brian Gutekunst declined to say whether Funchess would be back this season.

“We’ll find out,” Hackett said Tuesday. “If he’s here, we’ll be excited to have him here, and see what he can do and move forward from there.”

Funchess signed a one-year deal to join the Packers last offseason. He opted out of the 2020 season due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. Contracts tolled to 2021 for all players who opted out last season.

Still only 26, Funchess has 164 career catches and 21 touchdowns, but he hasn’t played since Week 1 of the 2019 regular season, and the Packers could save a little over $1.2 million on the 2021 cap by releasing him.

Gutekunst said the Packers are still in the process of making a decision on Funchess.

“We have had some contact with Devin (about) possibly being a part of our squad moving forward,” Gutekunst said, via Packers.com “There’s a lot of different pieces that kind of affect each other. We’re working through all that.”

The Packers may want to see what Funchess has to offer during training camp before making a decision. It’s also conceivable that the Packers want to use the cap savings from releasing him to sign a veteran free agent this month, possibly at wide receiver.

The Packers will return all their top receivers from a year ago and could use at least one draft pick in April to stabilize the position past 2021.

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Breaking down what Packers should do with Devin Funchess

Some thoughts on what the Packers should do with veteran wide receiver Devin Funchess.

The Green Bay Packers have a decision to make on the future of veteran receiver Devin Funchess, who opted out of the 2020 season but remains under contract with the team for 2021.

The Packers can cut him and save some immediate salary cap space, or they can keep him around and see what they really have in an experienced player they thought could contribute in the passing game in 2020.

Here’s a breakdown of the future of Funchess in Green Bay this season:

– Funchess is under contract in 2021 at $2,365,625. The Packers can save all but $1 million of that number by releasing him.

– The Packers are up against the cap and probably won’t have much wiggle room for chasing after veteran wide receivers in free agency. Funchess is under contract at a reasonable number and at least has some baseline knowledge of what the Packers are doing offensively.

– Funchess is only 26, but he hasn’t played in a game since early September of 2019. By Week 1 of this coming season, he’ll have been away from the game for almost two full years. Who knows where he is at physically. The Packers will want to know before making a decision, but that could be tricky with the offseason likely going virtual again.

– There’s really no cost in holding onto Funchess and getting a chance to see what they have during training camp, although it’s possible the team wants the cap savings before the start of the new league year. Putting together this salary cap puzzle has a lot of moving parts.

– With so many veterans likely to be cut over the next month, it’s possible the Packers could find a bargain at receiver. Selling a half-decent receiver on the opportunity to play one season with Aaron Rodgers at a discount rate probably wouldn’t be tough.

– It’s fair to wonder if Funchess would be redundant at this point. This isn’t a team lacking a big, physical receiver. Allen Lazard is more than capable of anything the Packers would ask of Funchess. But this was also true last spring. Maybe Matt LaFleur had something more specific in mind for the veteran.

– Rodgers expressed some real excitement about playing with Funchess last spring.

– Where does he fit? That’s not really a concern right now, and the Packers would get training camp to determine his fit, but it’s certainly unclear currently. The Packers will be bringing back all their top receivers from last season, and they’ll likely add at least one or two during the draft – especially given the contract situations at the position past 2021. At best, he might be the fourth or fifth receiver on the roster, which could be a hard sell for a veteran who isn’t going to contribute on special teams.

– Funchess has played in 62 career games. That experience might be valuable during another potentially virtual offseason, and especially given the constraints on the draft process. Rookie receivers can be very productive right away, even in this environment (see: 2020 season), but they are still no guarantee. Then again, Funchess hasn’t played football since 2019 and is just as much of a toss up at this point.

– I can see why the Packers would keep him around, at least through training camp. He’s been away from football for a long time, but cutting him doesn’t provide a big chunk of immediate savings, he’s under contract at a reasonable number for a veteran receiver and the Packers are probably still interested in seeing what he can do with Rodgers in this offense. If the Packers know he’s in shape and ready to roll this offseason, giving him one more shot might be the best course. Then again, I’d also consider him somewhat of a long shot to make the team coming out of training camp, so who knows. Maybe the Packers can find a better fit at a better price during this uncertain offseason. Saving the money now to help get under the cap makes sense, especially if a few cheap rookie receivers are coming.

– What would I do? Cut him, and then trust my pro and college scouting staff to find both the following: First, a veteran who has played more than one game in the last two years and wants to play with Rodgers at a big discount for one year; and second, a rookie to draft and develop and have ready by 2022, when the receiver position starts looking a little shaky.

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WR Devin Funchess ends up being Packers’ only player to opt out of 2020 season

The Packers had one player opt out of the 2020 season before Thursday’s deadline: WR Devin Funchess.

No player from the Green Bay Packers joined receiver Devin Funchess on the league’s opt-out list by Thursday’s deadline.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, only five more players opted out on Thursday. No other Packers joined the list, just as both GM Brian Gutekunst and coach Matt LaFleur expected when asked during Zoom calls this week.

Funchess, a veteran receiver who signed a one-year deal with the Packers, opted out of the 2020 season last week due to family health concerns related to the coronavirus. He is categorized as a voluntary opt out.

Players had to submit written notification of opting out to their team by Thursday at 3:00 p.m. ET.

According to the NFL, a player can still opt out after the deadline and during the season if a player is diagnosed with a new high-risk condition or if a player’s family member becomes seriously ill or dies due to coronavirus.

In total, 66 players opted out. All four NFC North teams had at least one player opt out.

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Salary cap, contract implications of Packers WR Devin Funchess opting out of 2020 season

What Devin Funchess opting out of the 2020 season means for the Packers salary cap and his contract for 2021.

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Green Bay Packers receiver Devin Funchess announced Tuesday he has opted out of the 2020 NFL season.

What does Funchess’ decision mean for the Packers’ salary cap and his contract?

First, the details of his original contract: Funchess signed a one-year deal with the Packers worth $2.5 million, including a $1 million signing bonus, $250,000 in per-game roster bonuses ($15,625 per game) and a $50,000 workout bonus. Other money was available through incentives. His base salary would have been $1.2 million, with an overall cap hit of $2,265,625.

The math changes now that Funchess has opted out.

According to the opt-out cap rules laid out by Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap, all bonuses, including signing bonuses and workout bonuses, will remain on the cap for players who opt out of the 2020 season. This means the Packers will still be on the hook for $1,050,000 even though Funchess won’t play in 2020, but they’ll save $1,215,625 on this year’s cap.

His contract will also toll, meaning he’ll be back under contract with the Packers in 2021. His base salary from 2020 carries over to 2021, while the per-game roster bonuses and workout bonuses remain the same. He’ll have a cap hit of $1,250,000 (base salary plus workout bonus), but no guaranteed money will transfer over to 2021, meaning the Packers can bring him back next summer but cut him, if necessary, without any cap charge. The guaranteed money will only count against the 2020 cap.

Ken Ingalls, who tracks the Packers’ cap, has more details below:

Ingalls estimates the Packers now have roughly $10.3 million in unallocated cap space for the 2020 season.

Funchess opted out of the season due to family health concerns regarded the coronavirus pandemic. He is considered a voluntary opt out and not a high-risk opt out.

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Aaron Rodgers: Packers getting ‘hungry’ veteran in WR Devin Funchess

“He’s hungry coming in,” Packers QB Aaron Rodgers said of WR Devin Funchess, who signed a one-year deal to join the Packers in free agency.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers believes he’s getting a “hungry” veteran who isn’t lacking experience at the NFL level in new wide receiver Devin Funchess, who signed a one-year deal to join the Packers this offseason.

Funchess, who caught 161 passes and scored 21 touchdowns over four seasons with the Carolina Panthers, played in just one game with the Indianapolis Colts before suffering a season-ending injury last year. His market in free agency was predictably cold, and he eventually had to settle for a one-year deal loaded with incentives.

Rodgers likes the combination of experience and motivation Funchess is bringing to the table.

“Adding Devin, who is a veteran guy who has made plays in the league for a number of years. And he’s hungry coming in,” Rodgers said during a conference call with reporters last month.

A second-round pick of the Panthers in 2015, Funchess never elevated to star status but did create several productive seasons. He caught a career-high eight touchdown passes in 2017 and had at least four touchdown catches during all four of his seasons in Carolina.

The Colts believed Funchess was about to have a big season as the sidekick to Pro Bowler T.Y. Hilton in the passing game when he broke his collarbone in Week 1 and missed the rest of the year.

Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, Rodgers and Funchess haven’t met on the field during the offseason. But the quarterback and receiver have had encouraging conversations during virtual meetings.

“It’ll be fun to see where he’s at physically,” Rodgers said. “From his football IQ, we’ve had some really good conversations, him and I.”

Funchess is joining of a group of mostly inexperienced and unproven receivers behind Davante Adams. He’ll battle Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Equanimeous St. Brown, Jake Kumerow and several others for snaps and targets.

Coach Matt LaFleur already expressed his excitement about the opportunity to work with Funchess, noting his combination of size, physicality and experience at the receiver position.

“You add a guy like Devin Funchess, who I can’t wait to start to work with, because here’s a big, physical receiver that’s extremely talented and a good veteran presence,” LaFleur said.

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Ranking Packers free agent signings by potential impact in 2020

Breaking down the potential impact of the Packers’ free agent signings in 2020.

A year after reshaping the roster with a rare spending spree, the Green Bay Packers weren’t nearly as aggressive in free agency this offseason. GM Brian Gutekunst was limited by the team’s financial flexibility, but he still managed to add a few veterans at need spots with team-friendly deals.

Predicting future impact can be difficult, but it’s an easier exercise when players have experience and roles look well defined.

Here’s a ranking of the Packers’ free-agent additions by potential impact in 2020:

1. LB Christian Kirksey

Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is sure excited about adding Kirksey, a veteran linebacker who played two years in his scheme with the Cleveland Browns and should have a head start at learning the defense, a key factor during this difficult offseason. Kirksey has missed 23 games the last two seasons, but the Packers don’t think he’s injury prone and aren’t worried about his long-term health. In fact, they probably think they got a bargain at the team’s biggest need position. Kirksey plays faster and is more instinctive than Blake Martinez, the player he’ll be replacing in the middle of Green Bay’s defense. While it’s unlikely Kirksey will be a true difference-maker, he figures to raise the baseline performance level of the linebacker group – but only if he avoids injury and stays on the field. Kirksey’s value will be directly tied to his availability, which is a question mark after he ended each of the last two years on season-ending injured reserve. Martinez, while limited, was always available.

2. RT Rick Wagner

Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The thought here is that Wagner, a former Wisconsin Badger who started 87 total games with the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens, will step in and be the starting right tackle, replacing Bryan Bulaga. That’s a big job. It’s an important one, too, as Aaron Rodgers has long relied on having two trustworthy offensive tackles handling the edges of the pocket. Wagner has been a good player in the past, but he’s coming off an injury-plagued and altogether disappointing 2019 season with the Lions. More than likely, the Packers got a good price on Wagner because the rest of the league – which is starved for quality offensive tackles – isn’t certain he can still play at a high level. The Packers are taking a big risk, but if it pays off and Wagner rebounds, they’ll have a nice stopgap option at right tackle for at least the 2020 season. With little behind him at right tackle, and question marks at right guard, Wagner is a very important player for the Packers.

3. WR Devin Funchess

(AP Photo/Rey Del Rio)

The opportunity in Green Bay in 2020 is a great one for Funchess, who will get a chance to play a complementary role in an offense featuring a No. 1 receiver and a top quarterback. The passing game also lacks a sure-fire secondary option, creating even more opportunity for Funchess to bounce back from missing all but one game in 2019. Big and physical, with the ability to play the middle of the field and win on back-shoulder balls, Funchess has value in the right role. And he’s likely going to be taking on many of the snaps given last year to Geronimo Allison, who produced one of the least efficient seasons by any NFL receiver in 2019. It will be difficult for Funchess to recreate that level of incompetency, creating a chance for him to help drive real improvement in the passing game simply by doing more with the targets he’ll likely get. Funchess may not be anything more than a No. 3 receiver, but as long as he avoids some of his past drop issues and is physically ready to play, he’ll provide a small but meaningful upgrade at receiver.

4. DL Treyvon Hester/Gerald Willis

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Packers made two late, under-the-radar signings along the defensive line, adding Hester and Willis to a group that really needs more depth in 2020. Hester has bounced around the NFL but he’s played well at times at various stops. In fact, if the Packers can get the 2018 version of Hester, they might have a valuable rotational player to use along the defensive line. He’s flashed an ability to hold up against the run and create disruption as a rusher. Willis is much more of a wildcard, but he was well-regarded coming out of Miami and has some athleticism for a 300-pounder. The Packers will hope one of the two sticks, upping the competition and adding depth upfront. The guess here is that Hester has a real chance to make the 53-man roster.

If Michigan was fielding a starting team based on current NFL players, here’s what it would look like

Creating something of a fantasy football situation selecting from nearly 40 Wolverines who are currently on NFL rosters to form a team.

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According to ESPN, while not all of them are actively playing, Michigan has 40 players currently in the league, bolstered by the 2020 haul with ten draft picks — though it lists Charles Woodson as active, and we’re pretty sure that’s no longer the case.

So, as our colleague over at BuckeyesWire asked, what would an NFL team look like if comprised solely of the players who graduated from one school? Naturally, a Michigan contingent had our interest piqued.

Given that there are a variety of schemes, offensively and defensively, and some players perhaps played a different position in the NFL than they did at Michigan, we came up with our starting maize and blue team in the pro ranks, taking a look at what could be if all of those who wore a winged helmet joined forces to create a Wolverines super team.

Especially with the man leading the charge under center, we’d put this team up against anybody.

Offense

There’s an obvious player to start with, and lots of solid linemen. But otherwise, Michigan is lighter than in recent years with skill position players.

Regardless, with the top choice overall — a man that many pick in the first round of their fantasy drafts — the Wolverines NFL team could be formidable.

Quarterback – Tom Brady

Photo: Isaiah Hole

The most obvious selection of the bunch is the greatest of all time.

If you have Tom Brady as your quarterback, you’ve got a chance to win it all. He’s won more rings than anybody with six in his time with the New England Patriots.

While he wasn’t as beloved during his time in Ann Arbor as much as he is now, if you’re building an NFL team out of former Michigan players, the former team captain and over-achieving sixth rounder from the 2000 NFL Draft is like getting the No. 1 pick in your fantasy league — it’s just good business.

In his career, Brady has amassed 74,571 yards in 285 games, with 541 touchdowns to just 179 interceptions.

Brady is No. 2 on the NFL’s all-time passing yards leaders list, behind Drew Brees — but literally ahead of everyone else. He’s also just behind Brees at No. 2 in passing touchdowns, just six away from the top, however.

NEXT: The starting offensive line

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Packers coach Matt LaFleur excited to work with WR Devin Funchess

Matt LaFleur is excited about new Packers WR Devin Funchess, who he called a “big, physical receiver that’s extremely talented.”

The addition of veteran Devin Funchess is one reason why Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers aren’t concerned about the state of their wide receiver position entering the 2020 season.

Following last month’s draft, LaFleur expressed excitement about getting a chance to work with Funchess, the former Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts receiver with a 6-4, 225-pound frame and 164 career catches.

“You add a guy like Devin Funchess, who I can’t wait to start to work with, because here’s a big, physical receiver that’s extremely talented and a good veteran presence,” LaFleur said.

Funchess, who played in just one game for the Colts after breaking his collarbone in Week 1 last season, signed a one-year, incentive-laden deal with the Packers.

LaFleur and GM Brian Gutekunst didn’t add a receiver in the draft and are instead banking on Funchess to help improve a receiver group that struggled to find consistency behind Davante Adams in 2019. Both LaFleur and Gutekunst insisted they are confident in the current group of players, especially after signing Funchess as a low-cost addition in free agency.

Funchess certainly isn’t light on experience. The 2015 second-round pick played in 60 games over four seasons with the Panthers. Over his last two seasons in Carolina, Funchess caught 107 passes for 1,389 yards and 12 touchdowns. Overall, he scored 21 times with the Panthers, ranking him fifth in team history in receiving touchdowns.

He also isn’t lacking size. At 6-4 and 225 pounds, Funchess is one of the biggest receivers in football. He also has 33.5″ arms and a vertical leap of 38.5″, giving him a tremendous physical advantage over most NFL defensive backs.

The Packers have trended toward big, physical receivers in recent years. Funchess, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard, Jake Kumerow and Equanimeous St. Brown are all 6-4 or taller.

Advantages of Funchess’ size could be a higher batting average on back-shoulder throws from Aaron Rodgers and a more intimidating presence in the run game. LaFleur didn’t hesitate to use receivers as key blockers in the run game during his first season as the playcaller in 2019. Funchess’ size and strength (17 reps of 225 pounds at the combine) could make him especially effective in this area.

It’s possible Funchess could take over a big chunk of the role vacated by Geronimo Allison, who was one of the least efficient receivers in football last season. It’s also possible Funchess could assume some of the targets given to tight end Jimmy Graham, who was released after two disappointing seasons with the Packers. A mix of the two roles makes sense for a big, physical player who can work the middle of the field and possibly operate as a big slot receiver.

Competition for snaps at receiver will come from Lazard, Valdes-Scantling, St. Brown and Kumerow, although the Packers could be preparing to carve out specific roles for each receiver. If it all blends together right, the whole could be greater than the sum of the parts.

In Funchess, LaFleur and the Packers believe they’ve found a contributor at receiver who has a mix of both physical traits and experience, giving him the potential to create immediate value for the offense in 2020.

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WR Devin Funchess will wear No. 11 with Packers

With 17 unavailable, new Packers WR Devin Funchess picked No. 11.

New Green Bay Packers receiver Devin Funchess wore No. 17 during each of his first five NFL seasons, but that number isn’t available in Titletown.

With three-time Pro Bowler Davante Adams already locked into No. 17, Funchess – who was officially introduced as a new member of the Packers on Thursday – picked to wear No. 11.

Receiver Trevor Davis wore the number to start last year. He was traded to Oakland in September. Later in the year, receiver Ryan Grant wore the number. He is an unrestricted free agent and isn’t expected back in Green Bay.

Funchess wore No. 17 for four years with Carolina Panthers (2015-18) and one year with the Indianapolis Colts (2019). He wore three different numbers – No. 1, No. 19 and No. 87 – while at the University of Michigan. In high school, he wore No. 5.

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Packers officially announce signing of WR Devin Funchess

The Packers officially announced the signing of Devin Funchess on Thursday.

The Green Bay Packers officially announced the signing of receiver Devin Funchess on Thursday.

Funchess, who spent his first four seasons with the Carolina Panthers and last season with the Indianapolis Colts, signed a one-year deal to join the Packers.

The announcement Thursday implies Funchess passed a physical and officially signed his contract.

A second-round pick of the Panthers in 2011, Funchess has played in 62 career NFL games, catching 164 passes for 2,265 yards and 21 touchdowns. He has played in four postseason games.

Last season, Funchess played in just one game before suffering a collarbone injury and missing the final 15 games.

His cap hit in 2020 will be $2,265,625.

Funchess, who previously wore No. 17, will wear No. 11 with the Packers. Davante Adams wears No. 17.