Jermichael Finley has been writing his ticket out of Green Bay for the past two seasons, and it looks like the Packers are finally prepared to part ways with him.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported late Saturday that the Packers are prepared to release Finley after the season if they are not able to trade him first. Finley signed a two-year, $14 million extension in February. He has a $3.5 million roster bonus coming in March, so he is likely to be cut by then.
The Journal Sentinel says financial, competitive, and behavioral reasons play a role in the decision. Translation: Had Finley been playing like the sixth-best tight end in football — which is where his salary ranks him — then they might be willing to bring him back. And if he were playing well and proving to be an invaluable member of the team, they might overlook the criticism he and his agent have had for Aaron Rodgers.
Because Finley has underachieved despite the vast potential the team believed he had, they are prepared to get rid of him. He’ll no doubt be scooped up by another team at a lesser pay rate. Who knows? Maybe he’ll blossom elsewhere.
