Updating status of Packers’ 2019 free agent departures

A look at how the Packers’ departures this offseason are playing during the first 10 weeks of the 2019 season.

The 2019 offseason was a busy one for Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst. For now, all of his hard work is paying off as the Packers go into their bye week with an 8-2 record and sitting atop the NFC North. Aside from the new hires and free-agent signings, Gutekunst also decided who would no longer be in the team’s future plans.

We’ll take a look at those players and how they’re doing with their new teams:

WR Randall Cobb

If the Packers miss anyone on this list, it might be Randall Cobb. The ninth year wideout compiled 41 receiving touchdowns and 5,876 yards from scrimmage over his eight-year career with the Packers. He was one of Aaron Rodgers’ favorite targets, especially in the clutch. Cobb provided Packers fans with many memorable moments. 

Cobb’s production and health had waned over the past few seasons and the Packers front office must have had enough confidence in the current group of receivers to not make an offer. He quickly found a new home as Cole Beasley’s slot replacement in Dallas. The Cowboys signed Cobb to a one-year contract worth up to $5 million.

Cobb has serviceable numbers through eight games and three starts in 2019. He’s caught 31 of his 46 targets for 380 yards and two touchdowns. His best game so far came recently in Week 10 against the Vikings. Cobb caught six passes for 108 yards and a score in the Cowboys’ loss.

If Green Bay had any regrets about letting Cobb walk, Gutekunst may have an opportunity to make a move for him in once the 2020 free agency period rolls around. 

DT Mike Daniels (released)

Perhaps the most surprising departure this offseason was the sudden release of Mike Daniels. After missing the latter part of 2018 with a foot injury, the Packers decided to part ways with Daniels. The move came on the eve of training camp and a day after the team signed fellow defensive lineman Dean Lowry a three-year extension worth $20.3 million in new money.

Like Cobb’s situation, the Packers liked what they saw in the younger players and viewed Daniels as expendable. Daniels played a meager 40 percent of defensive snaps in 2018 and his making as a player didn’t fit in the Gutekunst’s vision of a rebuilt defense. Perhaps neither did his leadership style. 

They had attempted to trade him earlier, but received no offers. Releasing Daniels saved the Packers an estimated $8.3 million in cap space.

Only two days after being released, Daniels signed a one-year, $9.1 million deal with the Detroit Lions. He turned down other offers so he could stay in the NFC North and have a couple chances for revenge.

So far Daniels’ 2019 season has been unspectacular and marred by injuries. He’s appeared in only four games (started one), has three tackles and one sack. He suffered sprain in his right foot against the Eagles in Week 3 and missed time up until Week 10 at Chicago. His return was short-lived, as he left the game after having that same right foot stepped on.

Daniels was been ruled out for the first matchup against the Packers at Lambeau Field, so he’ll have to wait until Week 17 until he potentially faces his old team. For now, it looks like the Packers made a tough choice, but the correct one, with Daniels.

OLB Clay Matthews

Even before the Packers signed the Smiths, the writing was on the wall for Matthews. The 32-year-old linebacker had just turned in a 16-game season and logged only 3.5 sacks. Matthews hadn’t recorded a double-digit sack season since 2014 and the Packers weren’t going to pay millions for a backup pass rusher (assuming he would play behind the Smiths) with dwindling production and lengthy injury history. It was better for both sides to move on, and so they did.

Matthews signed with the Los Angeles Rams about a week after the beginning of free agency; a deal worth $9.25 over two years. Minus a broken jaw, Matthews has had a renaissance year in LA. He started all the six games he’s played in, logging 22 tackles, seven sacks, and two forced fumbles. If it wasn’t for the freak jaw injury in Week 5, Matthews could be in the running for the league’s sack leader today. He has recorded at least one in each game he’s played.

CB Bashaud Breeland

Breeland was a solid pickup for the Packers in 2018. He was originally projected to hit the market as a top free agent, but an injury and failed physical scared teams off. Green Bay eventually signed him to a one-year deal in September to replace injured cornerback Davon House. Breeland played in seven games, recording two interceptions and a touchdown. He was also active on special teams as a kick returner.

The veteran was not re-signed by the Packers in the offseason. He likely wasn’t part of their future plans. The emergence of Jaire Alexander and the returns of Tramon Williams and Kevin King made Breeland the odd man out. He left and signed another one-year deal with Kansas City. With the Chiefs, Breeland has started nine out of his ten games, recording one interception. His highlight of the season came in Week 4 at Detroit when he scooped up a Kerryon Johnson goal-line fumble and took it 100 yards to the house.

LB Jake Ryan

Ryan was the last of the epic failure of the Packers’ 2015 draft class. He started 27 games for the team and was a solid defender against the run, although his main liability was in coverage. Ryan tore his ACL before the 2018 season and remained on injured reserve until the Packers chose not to re-sign him.

The Jacksonville Jaguars picked him up in March for a two-year, $6 million deal and later placed him on the reserve/NFI (non-football injury) list in August. Jaguars coach Doug Marrone announced Ryan will practice this week and may be activated sometime soon. If he plays this year, it will be the first time Ryan has been on the field since Week 17 of the 2017 season.

S Kentrell Brice

Brice was unsurprisingly non-tendered by the Packers as a restricted free agent. He was a major liability in pass coverage and not great against the run. Brice caught on with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the offseason and did not make it through camp. He’s now a member of the XFL’s Seattle Dragons.

TE Lance Kendricks

The team’s tight end room was a full one even before the Packers drafted Jace Sternberger in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft. Kendricks made little impact during his two seasons with the Packers and it was time to move on. Having been handed a six month probation period for marijuana possession and a one-game suspension didn’t boost his stock. He landed with the Patriots in July and was cut in early September to help make room for Antonio Brown. He’s now on the Los Angeles Chargers.

Kendricks has appeared in seven games for the Chargers and started one. He’s caught three receptions for 50 yards and no scores in 2019.

Other notables not signed

LB Nick Perry (released), OL Byron Bell, CB Davon House, S Eddie Pleasant, DE Muhammad Wilkerson, LB Antonio Morrison (waived)