MARCH 22, 9:40am: The Packers have officially re-signed Starks, the team announced today on its website. Full details on the new contract can be found right here.
MARCH 18, 8:56am: Starks’ new deal is for two years and $6MM, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
7:58am: The Packers have agreed to terms on a new deal with free agent running back James Starks, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com, who reports (via Twitter) that Starks will be returning to Green Bay for the 2016 season.
Starks, who turned 30 last month, had his best NFL season in 2015, rushing for 601 yards and two touchdowns, and adding another 392 yards and three TDs through the air. Although the veteran back didn’t enter the season atop the team’s depth chart, his 148 carries were a career high and weren’t far off from the 187 recorded by Eddie Lacy, who wasn’t in top shape in 2015.
The Packers haven’t been very active in free agency this month, but when they have made moves, they’ve generally locked up their own players. In addition to reaching an agreement with Starks, the club also re-signed outside linebacker Nick Perry, brought back offensive lineman Lane Taylor, and extended kicker Mason Crosby.
Prior to agreeing to a deal to remain in Green Bay, Starks paid a visit to the Patriots last week.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
He would have been a good fit in New England, but it’s a nice little chunk of change for him, and Green Bay knows they can depend on him if Lacy should falter again. Packers fans might once again be disappointed with the lack of FA activity, but this team was one Jordy Nelson away from the NFC Championship Game.
Yea nothing in his career says that he is or is going to be a 3M a year player…