Ted Thompson has seldom made a splash in free agency in terms of signing other teams' free agents. He prefers to draft, develop, and usually re-sign his own guys, rather than roll the dice on castaways from other teams. In 2014, Thompson did dip his toes into free agency a bit, with the signings of Julius Peppers and Letroy Guion, both of whom made a significant impact on defense. But don't expect their success to make Thompson more bold in free agency. His philosophy is still to build through the draft with cheaper, younger players, rather than through free agency with more expensive, older ones.
Unrestricted
T Bryan Bulaga
CB Jarrett Bush
WR Randall Cobb
QB Matt Flynn
DT Letroy Guion
CB Davon House
FB John Kuhn
LB Jamari Lattimore
DT B.J. Raji
QB Scott Tolzien
CB Tramon Williams
Restricted
T/G Don Barclay
WR Jarrett Boykin
S Sean Richardson
Exclusive rights
RB DuJuan Harris
Unrestricted free agency means that they can sign with any team. Restricted free agency means the Packers get an opportunity to match any contract offer they receive, and exclusive rights essentially means the Packers are the only team that can sign the player.
1. Randall Cobb and Bryan Bulaga
The top order of business for the Packers will be whether or not to re-sign RT Bryan Bulaga and WR Randall Cobb. Both players are in the prime of their respective careers, and are playing at a high level. That means both players can expect to get paid well (perhaps overpaid) if they decide to test the waters in free agency. While it's not Ted Thompson's way to let core players in their prime get away in free agency, he hates overspending, and if the bidding gets too high for the services of Cobb and/or Bulaga, he won't hesitate to let one or both of them walk. Last season, however, Thompson did pay a little more than fair market value for CB Sam Shields when he was set to hit free agency, so that bodes well for both of these guys to be back in green and gold next season (Prediction: Both get re-signed if the price is reasonable.)
This one could be interesting. I expect the Packers to sign both players back in the offseason, but only one of them to make the final roster. It could be a training camp battle between the established
veteran Flynn and the up and coming former Badger Tolzien. Tolzien definitely has greater athletic ability and arm strength, and if he can wrap his head around the complicated offense that the Packers run, I would expect Tolzien to be the guy. But if Tolzien struggles to pick it up, the experiment could be over. (Prediction: Both re-signed to short term contracts)
3. BJ Raji and Letroy Guion
Both players have big question marks, but for different reasons. Raji is coming off of a torn bicep injury that landed him on IR before the season really got going. He was on a one year "prove it" deal, and was off to a great start before the injury. Guion had a terrific season last year as one of Ted Thompson's rare free agent acquisitions, but a recent arrest involving $100,000 cash and large quantities of marijuana in his car makes this re-signing much less of a slam dunk. From the sound of it, McCarthy would like to have Guion back if he isn't in serious legal trouble. The lack of comments about Raji from Thompson or McCarthy suggest the big guy, who was the hero of the 2010 NFC Championship game for his game clinching pick-6, may not be back with the Packers in 2015. (Predicition: Guion re-signs, Raji hits free agency)
4. Tramon Williams, Jarrett Bush, and Davon House
JB is still a special teams ace, and won't command much money in free agency, so I think he will be back.
Davon House is a young, up and coming talent (the kind that Ted Thompson doesn't let escape). As such, I would be shocked if he signed elsewhere.
(Prediction: Williams signs elsewhere, Jarrett Bush and Davon House re-sign)
I don't think John Kuhn will be a Packer in 2015. He may be re-signed, but I don't think he will make the final roster. Yes, you heard me right. We may have heard our last "Kuuuuhn!" chant at Lambeau. (Prediction: Not re-signed)
6. Jamari Lattimore
Lattimore is a young and ascending talent, so early indications would be Ted wants him back. But he has had a chance to start in Green Bay, and didn't do much with the opportunity, so this may not be a sure thing. I think the Packers will re-sign him to compete for a job in training camp. (Prediction: Re-signed)
7. Barclay, Boykin, Richardson and Harris
Restricted free agents are usually pretty inexpensive to keep. As such, I think Don Barclay is a slam dunk. Sean Richardson will probably be tendered as well. Jarrett Boykin I'm not so sure about. He was supposed to take a big step up this season, but he did next to nothing all year. I don't see him back with the Packers unless Cobb is not re-signed. DuJuan Harris might be another shot to earn a spot in training camp. Though he didn't do much last year. It's possible the Packers will just draft another running back and say goodbye to Mighty Mouse. (Prediction: Barclay, Richardson tendered; Boykin, Harris: Not tendered.)
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