Photos by: Evan Siegle, packers.com
The 2019 season is officially over which means it’s time to look ahead towards free agency and the draft. Under Ted Thompson, the Packers rarely took advantage of the free-agent market, but since Brian Gutekunst took over, the signings have come in bunches.
A major aspect of free agency that can at times be overlooked is a team’s need to re-sign their own players.
Anyone who follows the Packers knows that while they tend to keep in-house talent, they also do not overpay and have no problem allowing an aging veteran to walk.
This brings us to nearly 37-year-old free agent, Tramon Williams. Williams is in his second stint with the team after being brought back prior to the 2018 season. Today I will look at both sides of the argument regarding whether or not the Packers should re-sign Williams.
Pros: Heading into what would be his 14th NFL season, Williams has still managed to be highly productive while also bringing a ton of veteran leadership to the locker room. Williams finished the 2019 season with 39 tackles, two interceptions, eight passes defended and two fumble recoveries. Considering he was the oldest defensive back in the league, those numbers are nothing to scoff at.
What I find most impressive about Williams is his ability to stay on the field. In his 10 seasons on the Packers, he has missed one game. One! His training and commitment to the game have kept him in great shape which has allowed him to play this long. With a handful of young cornerbacks on the roster, it’s never a bad thing to have a veteran in the mix to mentor guys along the way.
Cons: As impressive as it is that Williams has stuck around this long, unfortunately, father time comes for everyone. You never know when that time will come but after years of following the Packers, I’ve learned they usually like to cut bait before it gets to that point. We’ve seen this happen in the past with defensive backs like Charles Woodson and Al Harris as well as more recent examples like Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and Clay Matthews. If the team doesn’t think you can contribute, they will not hesitate to watch you leave.
Verdict: Of all the Packers free agents, I’m having the hardest time figuring out what they’ll do with Williams. He is a proven veteran that has performed well for this team for a decade as well as being a locker room favorite. On the other hand, he is turning 37 this March and the Packers have several young cornerbacks trying to rise up the depth chart and make a name for themselves.
In the end, I think the Packers will be able to bring him back on a cheap, one-year deal that will benefit both sides. He showed enough in 2019 to believe he still has something left in the tank and as Packers fans have learned many times in the past, you can never have too many reliable cornerbacks on your roster.
Via: 247sports.com