The Packers have not offered wide receiver James Jones a contract, and they most likely will let him walk when free agency opens on March 11, according to Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal. Citing an unnamed source, McGinn writes that the Packers do not plan to even offer Jones a contract.
Jones’ agent, Frank Bauer, said, “I don’t think [Packer’s GM] Ted Thompson wants him.” Bauer added that he had appointments with a “handful” of teams to discuss Jones. Although Jones has had a solid career for Green Bay, including a league-high 14 TD catches in 2012, his free agent stock will be hurt by his age (he will be 30 in March) and by the fact that the 2014 draft class is very deep at the wide receiver position. Furthermore, the Packers may try to enter into extension talks with top wideouts Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb sooner rather than later, as both players are eligible for unrestricted free agency after the 2014 season.
Another factor in the Packers’ decision to let Jones walk is the emergence of Jarrett Boykin. Last year, in his second season in the league, Boykin caught 49 passes for 681 yards and 3 TDs. McGinn notes that, just as Jones’ presence made it easier for Green Bay to let Greg Jennings walk last spring, Boykin’s presence will make it easier for the team to let Jones depart this offseason.
Thanks for your dedication and service and best of luck in your future endeavors.
Having said that, this was the case last time he was an FA and he didn’t get any good offers so we’ll see.