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